DAY 16: Thursday of Second Week of Lent - SPIRITUAL JOURNEY FROM LENT TOWARDS EASTER

The Lord God in Jeremiah 17:5-10 likens the man who trusts in human beings to a barren bush planted in a desert that remains unchanging as it is and has of no use just like a waste in a wilderness. On the contrary, the man whose trust and hope is in the Lord is blessed indeed. Just like a tree planted beside the running stream, roots stands firmly on the ground nurtured by the ever flowing spring. He remains fruitful, peaceful and faithful even though he faces challenges occasionally. How good to reflect on this Word of God through the Prophet Jeremiah.

Our Lord Jesus, in a reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 16: 19-31), gives a moral lesson that deals with a poor man named Lazarus and a wealthy man. While the poor man begs for food and scraps to eat (just like the poor of our time), the rich man consumes sumptuous foods daily without fail. On the after life when both men died, the rich man suffers torment and pleads to Abraham for pity while Lazarus, the poor man, enjoys the good life in Heaven. Just like on the first reading, our Lord re-echoes His teachings through the Prophet Jeremiah. Rev. Fr. Salvador "Budge" O. Orara, Jr. entreats us with his theological insights and reflections regarding these on this our spiritual journey during this season of Lent.