"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"
LUKE 16:25
The Lord encourages us to live a life of compassion, heed the teachings of the scriptures, and understand that our actions have eternal consequences that are beyond this life. Jesus illustrates the importance of compassion, the dangers of wealth when it leads to indifference, and the consequences of our actions in this life. The rich man’s sin was not his wealth but his indifference to the suffering of Lazarus. His lack of compassion led to his suffering, while Lazarus’ suffering was turned into comfort. We are called to care for those who are less fortunate.
19 Jesus said to the Pharisees: “There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. 20 And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 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. 22 When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 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.’ 25 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. 26 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.’ 27 He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ 30 He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 31 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.’” (Luke 16:19-31)
In fine linen and purple, a rich man was dressed, each day he dined, in sumptuous zest. At his door lay Lazarus, covered in sores, longing for scraps, from the rich man's stores. When Lazarus died, by angels, he was carried to Abraham's bosom, where forever he tarried. The rich man too died, and was buried in the ground, in the netherworld, he was found. In torment, he cried out, for a drop of water, from Lazarus's finger, to cool the slaughter. But Abraham replied, 'Child, remember your days, You had good things, while Lazarus was in a daze. Now he is comforted, while you are in pain, and between us, a great chasm does remain.' The rich man begged, 'Then warn my brothers five, so they may repent, and stay alive.' But Abraham said, 'They have Moses and the prophets, let them listen, and make no profits. If they will not listen, to the holy word, neither will they believe, even if the dead were heard.'
Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner. Forgive me for being attached to worldly riches and pleasures, and for neglecting the needs of the poor and the suffering. Help me to use my wealth and resources to serve you and to help others, not to indulge myself and to ignore others. Teach me to be generous and compassionate, as you are generous and compassionate to me.
Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner. Prepare me for the afterlife and the judgment of God. Help me to live according to your will and your way, not according to my own desires and opinions. Teach me to be faithful and merciful, as you are faithful and merciful to me.
Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner. Open my ears and my heart to your word. Help me to listen to and obey your word, not to reject or ignore it. Teach me to trust and follow your word, as you have revealed it to me through the law and the prophets, and especially through your Son, Jesus Christ, who died and rose again for me.
Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner. Thank you for your love and grace, that you have not left me in my sin and misery, but you have reached out to me and rescued me. Thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life, and who has given me the hope of eternal life with you. Thank you for your Spirit, who is my helper, counselor, and comforter, and who has given me the power to live a new life in you.
Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner. I repent of my sin and I believe in your Son. I surrender my life to you and I follow you as my Lord and Savior. I ask you to fill me with your love, joy, and peace, and to enable me to love you and to love others as you have loved me. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
A life of relying solely on human strength and turning away from the Lord is a life that lacks growth and prosperity, a life that is harsh and unyielding. On the other hand, those who trust in the Lord lives a life of resilience, growth, and abundance, regardless of the circumstances. They are likened to a tree planted by the waters, stretching its roots to the stream. Despite the heat and drought, this tree remains green and fruitful. We have the capacity for both good and evil, and the challenges we face in understanding and controlling our own actions and desires. Everyone will be rewarded according to their ways and the merit of their deeds. The Lord alone can probe the mind and test the heart.
5 Thus says the Lord: Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the Lord. 6 He is like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season, but stands in a lava waste, a salt and empty earth. 7 Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is the Lord. 8 He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: It fears not the heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; in the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit. 9 More tortuous than all else is the human heart, beyond remedy; who can understand it? 10 I, the Lord, alone probe the mind and test the heart, to reward everyone according to his ways, according to the merit of his deeds. (Jeremiah 17:5-10)
In the realm where mortal beings tread, seeking strength in flesh, hearts filled with dread. Cursed, says the Lord, is the man who strays, like a barren bush that withers away. In the desert, no season does it know, in a lava waste, where nothing can grow. A salted earth, empty, devoid of mirth, such is the man who trusts not in the Lord's worth. But blessed is he who in the Lord places his trust, whose hope in the Lord is robust. like a tree by the waters, standing tall and firm, stretching its roots to the stream, long-term. Fearing not the heat when it arrives, its leaves stay green, the tree thrives. In the year of drought, it shows no distress, still bearing fruit, its bounty no less. More tortuous than all else is the human heart, beyond remedy, a mystery, a work of art. Who can understand its depths, its hidden creeds? Only the Lord, who rewards according to our deeds.
Lord, our God, we come before You today acknowledging Your power and Your sway. We confess that often we trust in man, seeking strength in flesh, as humans can. We know, O Lord, that this path is cursed, like a barren bush, in the desert, immersed. We turn our hearts away from such a plight and seek Your face, Your wisdom, Your light. Blessed are those who trust in You, Lord who find their hope in Your holy word. Like a tree planted by the waterside, stretching its roots to the stream, far and wide. In the heat of life, we shall not fear, for Your grace and love are always near. Even in drought, our leaves stay green, bearing fruit in abundance, clearly seen. The human heart is tortuous and complex, beyond remedy, a mystery, a vortex. Who can understand its depths, its hidden creeds? Only You, Lord, who sees all our needs. You alone probe the mind, test the heart, rewarding everyone, their deeds set apart. Help us to live according to Your ways and to serve You faithfully all our days. In Jesus' holy name, we pray. Amen.
Blessings come from delighting in the law of the Lord and meditating on it day and night. Prosperity and success comes from following the Lord’s law. Follow the path of righteousness and you shall live a life of abundance. On the other hand, the wicked are compared to chaff, which is light, dry, and easily carried away by the wind. This symbolizes the instability and transience of a life lived in wickedness. The Lord watches over the way of the just, but the way of the wicked will vanish. This serves as a reminder of divine justice and the ultimate reward for righteousness.
1 Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, 2 but delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on his law day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted near running water that yields its fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade. Whatever he does, prospers. 4 Not so the wicked, not so; they are like chaff which the wind drives away. 6 For the Lord watches over the way of the just, but the way of the wicked vanishes. (Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4, 6)
Blessed is the man who walks in grace, not following the wicked, not joining their chase nor sitting with the insolent, in their scornful place but finding delight in the Lord's embrace. Day and night, on His law, he meditates, like a tree by the water, that patiently waits. Its roots run deep, in the stream it participates, yielding its fruit, as each season dictates. Its leaves never fade, they dance in the sun, whatever it does, under heaven's watchful run, prospers and grows, its battles are won, a testament to the righteousness that was begun. Not so the wicked, not so their fate, like chaff in the wind, for the storm they wait. Driven away, left to desolate, their way vanishes, under the weight. For the Lord watches over the just, in His guidance, they place their trust. While the way of the wicked will turn to dust, in the Lord's law, the righteous must.
Lord, our God, we come before You today, seeking Your wisdom, Your guidance, Your way. Blessed is the man who follows Your lead, not the counsel of the wicked, nor their creed. He delights in Your law, day and night, finding in Your word, his delight. Like a tree planted near running water, yielding its fruit, as Your daughter and son ought to. His leaves never fade, they remain evergreen, in every season, their vitality is seen. Whatever he does, under Your watchful eye, prospers and grows, reaching up to the sky. Not so the wicked, not so their fate, like chaff in the wind, for Your justice they wait. Driven away, scattered by the breeze, their way vanishes, like a disease. For You, Lord, watch over the just, in Your righteousness, they place their trust. Guide us on this path, help us to follow, in Your footsteps, today and tomorrow. In Jesus' most holy name, we pray. Amen.
Pericope:
V: The Journey to Jerusalem: Luke's Travel Narrative
THE PARABLE OF THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS
Luke 16:19-31
Book of Jeremiah
TRUE WISDOM
Jeremiah 17:5-11
First Book of Psalms 1-41
TRUE HAPPINESS IN GOD'S LAW
Psalm 1:1-6
Reflection Source:
Copilot with Edge
