• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

The Passionists of Holy Cross Province

The Love that Compels

  • Migration
    • Statement from Passionist Leadership Regarding Current United States Immigration Policies
    • The Global Migration Crisis: What Can a Retreat Center Do?
  • Laudato Si’
    • Laudato Si’ 2023-24 Report and 2024-25 Plan
    • Ways to Live Laudato Siˊ
    • Sustainable Purchasing
      • Sustainable Purchasing Guide
      • Hints for Sustainable Meetings and Events
      • Sustainable Living Hints
    • Passion of the Earth, Wisdom of the Cross
    • Passionist Solidarity Network
    • Celebrating the Season of Creation
  • Pray
    • Daily Reflections
    • Prayer Request
    • Sunday Homily
    • Passionist Spirituality and Prayer
    • Video: Stations of the Cross
    • Prayer and Seasonal Cards
  • Grow
    • Proclaiming Our Passionist Story (POPS)
    • The Passionist Way
    • Retreat Centers
    • Passionist Magazine
    • Passionist Ministries
      • Preaching
      • Hispanic Ministry
      • Parish Life
      • Earth and Spirit Center
      • Education
      • Fr. Cedric Pisegna, CP, Live with Passion!
    • Passionist Solidarity Network
    • Journey into the Mystery of Christ Crucified
    • Celebrating the Feast of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Subscribe to E-News
    • Sacred Heart Monastery
      • History of Sacred Heart Monastery
      • A Day in the Life of Senior Passionists
      • “Pillars” of the Community
  • Join
    • Come and See Holy Week Discernment Retreat
    • Are You Being Called?
    • Province Leadership
    • Vocation Resources
    • Passionist Brothers
    • The Life of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Discerning Your Call
    • Pray With Us
    • Passionist Vocation Directors
    • World Day for Consecrated Life
    • Lay Partnerships
  • Connect
    • Find a Passionist
    • Passionist Websites
    • Fr. Cedric Pisegna, CP, Live with Passion!
    • Passionist Alumni Association
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Monthly Giving
      • St. Gemma Circle of Giving Intentions
    • Leave a Legacy
      • Giving Matters
      • Ways to Give
      • Donor Relations
      • Testimonials
    • Prayer and Seasonal Cards
    • Privacy Policy Statement
  • Learn
    • Our Passionist History: Webinar Series
    • Proclaiming Our Passionist Story (POPS)
    • Our Founder
    • History
    • The Letters of St. Paul of the Cross
    • The Diary of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Mission and Charism
    • Saints and Blesseds
    • FAQs
    • Find a Passionist
    • STUDIES IN PASSIONIST HISTORY AND SPIRITUALITY
  • Safe Environments

Daily Scripture, February 28, 2013

Thursday of the Second Week of Lent

Scripture:

Jeremiah 17:5-10
Luke 16:19-31

Reflection:

This gospel story of Lazarus and the rich man is so familiar to us that we could be tempted to miss the message.  Here are a few details from the reading that we might think about.  First, notice that the rich man does not have a name while Lazarus does.  Not having a name can mean many things – lack of influence, diminished power, no lasting legacy and on and on.  But it might also mean that the rich man becomes a bit like "every man" – that is that most of us could possibly identify with the rich man.  Then consider that the rich man is not described as cruel or mean.  We do not know that he makes a conscious decision to allow Lazarus to go hungry.  Perhaps his sin is a sin of omission.  Maybe he is so consumed with his luxurious clothes and fine dining, he does not even see the suffering of Lazarus.  It seems as though, the rich man is possibly what we consider a fairly good guy – after all, even in the depth of his suffering he thinks of his brothers. 

When we consider these things, perhaps we will identify more with the story. Of course most of us would never consciously decide to allow someone to go hungry or suffer great indignities, and yet, while we know that many in our world die every day from hunger, many go without the medical care needed to save their lives, many live in squalor and many don’t even have clean water to drink, we take no action.  In fact, most of us don’t want to even think about, let alone see the "Lazaruses" in our world.  We continue to consume without thinking of what our consumption does to those who suffer in developing countries.  In fact we avoid seeing or thinking about those who are in need in our own community, at our very doors.

During this Lenten Season, one of our resolutions might be to open our eyes and see those who suffer, and think about those who would welcome the very crumbs from our table.  Perhaps then we will really understand Jesus’ message in today’s Gospel.  And when we come to the end of our days, we can say to God that we heard the messages of the Gospel and changed our ways.

‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets,
neither will they be persuaded
if someone should rise from the dead.’"

 

Mary Lou Butler is a long-time friend and partner in ministry to the Passionists in California.

Footer

Support the Passionists

Contact the Passionists

Name

The Passionists of Holy Cross Province
660 Busse Highway | Park Ridge, IL 60068
Tel: 847.518.8844 | Toll-free: 800.295.9048 | Fax: 847.518.0461
Safe Environments | Board Member Portal | Copyright © 2025 | Log in