Reflection on the Gospel of Thursday Week 2 of Lent by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

MY LIFETIME

(Luke 16:19-31)

In the Gospel today, Jesus presents us with the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. The former had it all in his lifetime while the later was poor in his lifetime. When they died, the rich man was buried while the poor Lazarus was carried to Abraham's bosom by the angels. In Hades things were not good for the rich man for he lived without sparing any good thought for the poor. He begged to have Lazarus sent to him, but Abraham refused, calling him to remember how he lived his life.

Today the word of God calls on us: "Son/ daughter, remember your lifetime..." The rich man was called to this remembrance after his life. During this Lent, we are invited to ponder on what we do with our lifetime while alive. What are you doing with the opportunities you have to live on earth? During your lifetime, how do you treat the people you meet? How are you relating with people around you both small and great?

Are you actually utilizing the gracious moments given to you by God to win eternal joy for yourself?

Jesus wants us to keep an eye on eternity, to prepare while alive for life after life. Are you really storing treasures for yourself in heaven? Are you preparing for a happy death at all? When you die will you be buried in the grave and end up in hades or are you going to be carried by the angels into the bosom of Abraham like the poor man. Let's humble ourselves, let's take each other as children of God and relate with them like children of the same Father.

May we not live our lives carelessly. May we not be insensitive to the people around us. May we all be carried up to God by the spiritual exercises of this Holy Season.

LET US PRAY

We give You Lord our lifetime. Take it and do with it what is Your will. Give us the grace to make good use of the opportunities You give us. May we be sensitive to the spiritual, physical and moral needs of the people around us through Christ our Lord. Amen.

God bless your Thursday (2nd Week of Lent)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

Image from: rich-man-and-lazarus - Evangelical Congregations of the Reformation (elcr.org.au)