Thursday of the 2nd Week in Lent
Jer 17: 5-10; Luke 16: 19-31
Deacon Larry Brockman
“More tortuous than all else is the human heart, beyond remedy; who can understand it?” How true is that with regard to the Rich Man in the Gospel? One can only ask the question- Why? Why, with all his wealth and comfort, would the Rich man ignore Lazarus day after day, month after month?
Was it because the Rich Man was not aware? Was it because he was not caring or generous? What was it about the Rich Man that separates him from righteousness to such an extent that he is permanently exiled to an eternal place of torment?
But the Rich man was aware- he knew who Lazarus was, even knew him by name; he hoped that Abraham would send Lazarus in a mission of kindness to him. How ironic- a man who ignores Lazarus and his suffering for so many years now blithely begs for kindness from him. No, the rich man was aware.
Similarly, the Rich man cares- cares for his brothers and his family; otherwise he wouldn’t appeal for someone to go to his family so they could avoid his plight. Granted, his generosity and concern is just for those close to him; but the Rich man doesn’t come across in the story as being totally uncaring.
And so, if the Rich Man was sensitive enough to be aware and had a basic sense of caring for others; what was it that went on inside of his heart? I think the rich man was too comfortable in his life. He was always in control; everything was about him. He made something of himself in life- he amassed wealth; he was a member of the privileged and favored society. But he was so preoccupied with himself that he just never got around to listening to his conscience, or responding to it either. Time passed, and before he knew it, life was over.
Jeremiah quotes the Lord as follows: “Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the LORD.” And that’s what happened to the Rich Man- he was cursed, and separated from favor in the Kingdom of God because he trusted in the world and what it had to offer.
Can we apply this lesson to ourselves? Are we aware of all the things that are happening right under our noses? Like the homelessness and poverty and all kinds of moral evil that are going on around us constantly. Ah, yes, we do notice it OK, and it gnaws at us too, doesn’t it; so we care, too. But, like the Rich Man, are we so busy with our own agendas and find it difficult to really respond?
Indeed, as Jeremiah said: “More tortuous than all else is the human heart; who can understand it?” God understands it. God knows what is really in our hearts. And where our treasure is, that is where are hearts are.
Tags: Understanding the Human Heart; Being Aware of Our Neighbor