The Church is ramping up the call to holiness as we progress through the second full week of Lent. Indeed, today’s readings serve as a spiritual sobriety checkpoint, not only for the liturgical season but also our lives in general.
If anyone doubts the prophetic nature of Jeremiah’s words, they need only look to what happened to the southern kingdom of Judah, which, like the northern Kingdom in Old Covenant times (722 B.C.), eventually fell (587 B.C.), precisely because the leaders trusted more in man—in human plans and allegiances—than in God (Jer. 17:5).
Affirmation
Jesus reaffirms this truth in today’s Gospel, via a parable with far worse consequences: everlasting hell. Because of his willful, persistent disregard of the poor man Lazarus, and failing to recognize that God is the source of his own wealth, the rich man ends up paying the worst price for his callous selfishness.
Many of our Protestant brothers and sisters like to say that our good works make no difference in whether we are saved or not, that having faith alone is what matters. No doubt that we cannot earn our way into heaven, as eternal salvation is a free gift from God. Still, as we see from today’s First Reading and then the Gospel, we will reap what we sow (Jer. 17:10). In other words, we can accept or reject God’s gift of salvation through our choices/works (see, e.g., Matt. 19:16-26; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Heb. 10:26-29). Mortal sin is a sober reality we need to confront—and avoid in practice.
Last Judgment
Jesus affirms this further in speaking about the Last Judgment, regarding those who served or forsook the least of the brethren (Matt. 25:31-46). We should not live in fear, let alone despair, knowing all things are possible with our merciful Lord Jesus (Matt. 19:26). On the other hand, unlike the rich man in today’s Gospel parable (Luke 16:19-31), or the rich fool whom Jesus discusses in another parable (Luke 12:13-21), we must also avoid the grave sin of presumption (CCC 2091-2092).
Which reminds me of one of my favorite passages growing up: Matthew 6:33– “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.”
Words of wisdom, not only so that we are truly fulfilled here on earth, but, most important, will attain heavenly glory in the hereafter.
