Lent Week 2: Thursday
DO YOU HOPE IN THE LORD?
A spiritual writer was asked in an interview on what he thought was the most important need of people in our time. Without hesitation, he said simply, “hope.” People are living in the midst of life-shattering realities around them, whether political, economic, or social problems. There are also these same realities that attack the core, the interior part of men and women, like ruptured relationships, broken dreams and goals, or personal struggles in faith.
The reading from the prophet Jeremiah singles out hope as the virtue that makes a person blessed in the sight of God. Those who hope in human beings, in material things, in earthly riches are bereft of blessings, but those who hope in the Lord abound in unimaginable graces.
Hoping is inherent in the heart of men and women. We have “small hopes” that allow us to survive day to day trials and difficulties. But we must look to the “bigger hopes” that give light to eyes, serve as light to our path, and enable us to find peace and security now and in the future. That larger hope includes faith in God.
The parable of Lazarus and the rich man illustrates for us the life of a person whose hope is tied to things of the earth, to his wealth, influence and contentment. Fixing his eyes on the small hopes, he was blinded to the presence of the poor and ailing Lazarus at his doorsteps. While not much was said of Lazarus, it seems at the end of the parable, that he has set his hope in God to provide for him, to save him, and to offer him justice in the next world. The rich man reveled in his material security, while Lazarus looked up to heaven for succor.
In this Lenten season, may we consider whether we exercise our hope in the right way. We have received this virtue in baptism. Do we truly hope in God and not in our human capacity, not in passing things, not in human support alone? How do you show God that in him alone in your hope?
