Daily Divine Word
March 05, 26 Thursday of 2nd week of Lent: Location Makes a Difference
Jeremiah 17:5–10. Luke 16:19–31
The people of Judah faced political turmoil and amidst the instability, they were tempted to trust in military alliances instead of God. Their trust in human military power brought forth spiritual dryness and despair. In the first reading, prophet Jeremiah addresses the people of Judah narrating vividly the stark, binary choices: reliance in human power versus trusting in God.
Binary Choices: All of us have an innate desire to feel important and be successful. In this journey towards self-fulfillment, we all face moments of battle and dependence, at times hard works reward dryness and no efforts seem to bear fruit. In these moments of crisis and disappointments, we are tempted to rely on our strength or on human powers to sail through the storms.
Shrub in Desert Vs Plant by Stream: Jeremiah compares trusting in human power to a shrub in the desert and trusting in God to a plant by the stream. Shrub in the desert is a deception, will wither away quickly. The plant by the stream is deeply rooted, does not fear drought or heat, it remains green and fruitful, flourishes for a longtime sharing life and enduring all trials.
Location matters: Location of our trust determines our fruitfulness. Desert is not a fruitful place, though one may thrive in desert for a short time. One may exist but not ‘live’ in the desert. Jeremiah insists that our trust is not in YHWH, but our trust is YHWH. Just as the stream provides sustenance and fruitfulness to a plant so does God make humans fruitful. This demands a relocation from desert to the streams of water a necessity. Relocation at times involves transplanting. Lent invites us to relocate and transplant ourselves in God. Keeping away from desert and desert like vibes and situations enables fruitfulness.
The Tragedy of the Rich Man: The gospel presents to us the parable of the Rich man and Lazarus. The rich man counted on his riches and celebrated his life. He failed in his essential duty, he knew the poor man beneath his table. He not only failed to love the poor man but deliberately chose to ignore him. Love of God comes alive when demonstrated in love of neighbour. Anything beyond need is extravagance and lavish, this is a social crime. One’s luxury deprives someone’s essential need somewhere.
Our Takeaway
1. Shrub in the desert is a deception, withers away quickly. Plant by the stream is deeply rooted, does not fear drought or heat, it remains green and fruitful, flourishes for a longtime sharing life and enduring all trials. God is my stream.
2. Location of our trust determines our fruitfulness. A relocation from desert to the streams of water is a necessity. Relocation at times involves transplanting. Lent invites us to relocate and transplant ourselves in God. Keeping away from desert and desert like vibes and situations enables fruitfulness.
3. Love of God comes alive when demonstrated in love of neighbor. Anything beyond need is extravagance and lavish, this is a social crime. One’s luxury deprives someone’s essential need somewhere.
Wilson SVD
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