Daily Reflection: 14th Day of Lent

Interesting readings today. The first reading is Jeremiah 17:5-10:

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.
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.
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose hope is the LORD.
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.
More tortuous than all else is the human heart,
beyond remedy; who can understand it?
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.

I think I find this reading so interesting because it talks about trees. We’ve been talking about planting some new trees and we’ve planted trees in the past that haven’t survived because my husband has forgotten to water them and we’ve been in a drought for the past few years here in the desert. The desert trees, on the other hand, have flourished because their need for water is much less than the the trees that didn’t make it.

I love how the writer talks about how trusting and hoping in the Lord is like being a tree planted by the water, stretching its roots out and not being afraid of the heat or the drought. Such a beautiful analogy.

The gospel is a familiar one about the rich man and poor Lazarus from Luke 16:19-31:

Jesus said to the Pharisees:
“There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen
and dined sumptuously each day.
And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,
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.
When the poor man died,
he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham.
The rich man also died and was buried,
and from the netherworld, where he was in torment,
he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off
and Lazarus at his side.
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.’
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.
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.’
He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him
to my father’s house,
for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them,
lest they too come to this place of torment.’
But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets.
Let them listen to them.’
He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham,
but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
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.’”

You know what this reading made me think of? It made me think of an old Negro spiritual about “Poor Man Lazrus”. I hope you enjoy it.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Help us to trust in you, to have hope in you, that we might be like a tree planted by the water with no fear of the heat and no fear of the drought. Continue with us on this Lenten journey, Lord, that we might grow stronger in our faith and our understanding of your word.
In the name of Jesus the Christ,
Amen