2nd Week of Lent, Thursday, 2-29-24, Year B
Readings: 1st Reading Jer 17:5-10; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Gospel; Lk 16:19-31
Theme: Trust In God, Not Man
Do you want to be cursed? Well, then just trust in human beings and your desire will come true. Now, that sounds pretty rough I know, but according to Jeremiah that is the result of trusting only in human beings for salvation. Being fallen creatures who are subject to the propensity to sin, we humans are not the most trustworthy when it comes to each other’s eternal lives. Even the best of us fall from time to time and can drag others down with us. Putting our trust only in humans to save our souls is a risky business.
Rather, we should be putting our trust in God who has the keys to eternal life. There is no fault, character flaw, or selfishness that could lead us away from eternal life when we trust in God. There is only goodness, holiness, righteousness, and love with God. Why is this concept so difficult for us to grasp? It should be a no-brainer. Every one of us should be trusting in God, not in ourselves or other human beings for our salvation.
We all know someone who has abandoned God through their own free will and chose an earthly life filled with riches, travel, and comfort, only to find themselves destitute, either in physical poverty losing everything, or in mental anguish over unfulfilled desires for real relationships and love. It is a story that repeats itself over and over again. There will always be something lacking without God in our lives.
The readings are clear today that the result for those who put their trust in humanity will come to a very disturbing end. Both Jeremiah and Jesus describe the results of trusting humanity in a softened literary view of pure loneliness and anguish. But what they are really saying is that separation from God will be permanent and there will be no consoling of a soul left in a filthy, dark, burning abyss of loneliness beyond our imagination forever and ever and ever.
Do not let this abyss of loneliness be your future. Trust in God and do not worry about the things of this world. Worry only about the things of Christ who sits at the right hand of His Father with the Holy Spirit. Remember that we are only pilgrims in this world who are on a journey toward heaven with many traps, snares, and pits to get caught up in. Only God can lead us through this life safely so we can reach our true destination with Him in heaven.
So, stay focused and do not worry about riches or material things, or what your neighbor has that you do not. Rather, be about your neighbor’s well-being, caring for God’s creation, and bringing Christ to all who will listen. Then, and only then will you be building your treasure in heaven instead of nothingness in hell.
Saint James Catholic Church 