Thursday of the 2nd week in Lent

Thursday March 12, 2009 of the 2nd week of Lent

Readings: Jeremiah 17: 5-10 Psalm 1 Luke 16: 19-31
Psalm Response: " Blessed are they who hope in the Lord"

When we sit down to read a book, we like to begin at the preface and continue to the end. If you recall, yesterdays reading was from Chapter 18 of Jeremiah. Today, we're reading excerpts from Chapter 17. A little backwards, don't you think.
In reality, the books of the Bible and even the chapters of each book aren't necessarily in chronological order.

The point of the message of Jeremiah and the writer of the first Psalm dovetail perfectly. Although David is the supposed author of the Psalms and Jeremiah wrote his prophecy in about the 7th Century BC, both sacred writers were inspired by the same God to exchoriate the rebellious people of their tim. Both generations denied their Lord by seeking other gods in contrdistinction to their heritage of One God alone.

We aren't farmers; but, we know instinctively, not to plant our garden away from an instant source of water or in an arid region. Jeremiah and david both enjoin their listeners to be near the source of their Faith and consolation. No need to look elsewhere. He provides; we are to thank Him alone.

Our Gospel parable relates a story of the incongruity of the wealthy as opposed to those in want.
Somewhere, it was proposed the rich man's name was Darius. Lazarus was a common mispronunciation of the name Eleazar. The people of the northern provences had a strange accent. It was even noted in the Book of ACTS 2:13, the Apostles speech was muddled and they were thought to be drunk. They were all from the north, Galilleans!
Darius, who hoarded his means for some unknown time, was called to his "reward" at the same time as Lazarus.
Darius seemed to be in the abode of the dead, the netherworld; a sort of purgatory! He petitioned Abraham for a bit of water from the hand of Lazarus. He even asked for Lazarus to go to his family to escape the ravages he was experiencing. Wisely, Abraham, having witnessed the obdurance of generations of Israelites and their present denial of the One sent to save them, wisely explained, they wouldn't listen to someone, even if He were raised from the dead.

When our Faith seems to question the ability of the saints and those who preceded us into their reward, to be our help, perhaps we should reminsce to these words from Scripture to get the proper prospective and pray we'll use the right words to plead for our help.