Reflections on Scripture | Thursday of the Second Week of Lent

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel
Luke 16:19-31

Jesus said to the Pharisees:
"There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen
and dined sumptuously each day.
And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,
who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps
that fell from the rich man's table.
Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.
When the poor man died,
he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham.
The rich man also died and was buried,
and from the netherworld, where he was in torment,
he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off
and Lazarus at his side.
And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me.
Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue,
for I am suffering torment in these flames.'
Abraham replied, 'My child,
remember that you received what was good during your lifetime
while Lazarus likewise received what was bad;
but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.
Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established
to prevent anyone from crossing
who might wish to go from our side to yours
or from your side to ours.'
He said, 'Then I beg you, father, send him
to my father's house,
for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them,
lest they too come to this place of torment.'
But Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets.
Let them listen to them.'
He said, 'Oh no, father Abraham,
but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'
Then Abraham said,
'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets,
neither will they be persuaded
if someone should rise from the dead.'"

Reflection

The image that is so strong in this reading is the image of Lazarus. And how he was so much more pleasing to God than the scribes and the Pharisees. And in that image, what you see is that Lazarus was a man who longed for more, longed for truth, longed for something that was life giving.

And the Pharisees were not looking for anything other than their own comfort. So one of the things we can take from this beautiful gospel is that when we're in a place of not knowing, when we're longing for something, we are in a really good place and we may feel. Well, maybe it's about doubt, and maybe it's about loss of enthusiasm to even find it.

No, If you're constantly longing for more, you are in the most perfect place for God to speak to you. He longs for a hungry heart. It knows its need for God's truth.

The Closing prayer

The Closing Prayer. Father you have created in us a need, a longing for truth. Let us always honor this longing by being patient as you slowly reveal the beauty and the depth of your truth. And we ask this in Jesus name, Amen.

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Kyle Cross