Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: March 20, 2025

Thursday of the 2nd Week of Lent

Scripture Text: 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.'"

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today's brings us Jesus’ parable about the rich man and poor Lazarus. In life, the rich man did nothing to ease Lazarus’ suffering, yet after he died, he asked that Lazarus ease his suffering. The rich man’s request that his brothers be warned that their actions in life have consequences, but Abraham denies his request, reminding the rich man that his brothers have Moses and the prophets. Jesus ends by saying “neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead” indicating to us that there are many who reject Jesus still.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I consider daily the consequences of my choices? Do I seek daily to follow Christ and to live as He calls me to live?

Praying:

LORD, You gave us life and always and everywhere your power and presence are at work around us inviting us to life with You, in You and through You. Grant that your Spirit will daily tenderize our being so that we might be more open to the salvation won for us by Jesus Christ in his death on Calvary and through His resurrection. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.