Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.
Today's Gospel: Luke 16:19-31
The life of St. Teresa of Calcutta stands for us as a shining example of the Gospel in action. The rich man in today’s Gospel reading was the antithesis of St. Teresa of Calcutta. His life and death and subsequent belated remorse serve as a warning for us of the danger of living a life overly devoted to luxury and pleasure. While Lazarus was poor, infirm, and hungry during his life, the rich man dressed and dined extravagantly and enjoyed many earthly pleasures during his life. After death, the rich man cried out for relief from his torments while Lazarus enjoyed eternal bliss in Heaven.
An essential lesson for us to take from this story is to learn to detach from material things and worldly experiences and to seek out the things of Heaven instead. In our affluent society, we need to be continually reminded that poverty and suffering, when they come our way and when accepted courageously, can help us to get to heaven. If we are blessed with an abundance in this life, we should learn to sacrifice and become detached from our wealth, so we are not possessed by it.
We are called to be empty vessels so that Jesus can fill us with His love and heavenly blessings, which are worth so much more than the things of earth. When our arms are filled with material goods, they are already too full to receive the spiritual treasures that God wants to give us.
Ponder:
What earthly things do I need to give up that are keeping me from receiving spiritual blessings?
Pray:
Lord Jesus, help us to imitate the poverty and simplicity of Lazarus and to accept our sufferings as he did. Help us to treasure the things of Heaven over the things on earth.
Copyright 2022 Christina Mayeux
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