March 20, 2025 Thursday of the Second Week of Lent
Daily Readings: Jeremiah 17:5-10; Luke 16:19-31
The parable of the rich man and Lazarus offers a profound lesson through the stark contrast between these two individuals. On the surface, the rich man’s life appears enviable—he enjoys wealth, a comfortable home, luxurious clothing, and lavish meals. In contrast, Lazarus lives in extreme poverty, homeless, hungry, and covered with sores, suffering the indignity of dogs licking his wounds. At first glance, most would naturally prefer the rich man’s life.
However, the second contrast in this story reveals a deeper truth. Upon death, Lazarus is carried by angels to eternal comfort, while the rich man faces torment in the netherworld. This reversal invites us to reconsider which life is truly desirable. The rich man’s worldly pleasures were temporary and ultimately left him spiritually empty. Lazarus, though poor in material possessions, was rich in what truly matters—charity, humility, and trust in God. His spiritual wealth secured his eternal reward.
This parable warns us of the seductive nature of material wealth. Riches are not inherently evil, but they come with the temptation to live self-indulgently, neglecting the needs of others. Comfort and luxury can easily blind one to the call of charity. The rich man’s downfall was not his wealth but his lack of compassion and generosity.
Let us reflect today on what we truly desire. Are our ambitions centered on worldly possessions or eternal treasures? Even those with little can become consumed by an unhealthy longing for material wealth. Instead, let our hearts desire what is eternal: love of God and love of neighbor. Such desires lead to a life rich in meaning and purpose. If we live in this way, we too will be carried away by angels into eternal joy.
Call to Action for Catholic Living: Let us choose today to live with compassion, generosity, and love for God and neighbor, for these are the riches that will lead us to everlasting joy.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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