Thursday of
the Second Week in Lent
(Jeremiah 17:5-10; Luke 16:19-31)
A recently published book about cyclist Lance Armstrong
gives an anecdote about the fraudulent champion’s penchant for consumption. On Armstrong’s ten million dollar estate
stands a giant oak tree with its branches extending toward his Spanish colonial
mansion. The tree was not originally in
its present, grandiose location but was transplanted there from another place
on the property at the cost of $200,000!
Although spending so much money on a vain endeavor is hardly Armstrong’s
worse fault, it does contemporize the scene in today’s gospel of irresponsible opulence.
The rich man in Jesus’ parable sins neither by having
great wealth nor even by having a disproportionate amount in comparison to others. No, his fault is neglecting the poor man at
his door. Certainly he had enough
resources to feed a hundred beggars, but he did not even notice the one that
was in his midst. As Abraham indicates
at the end of the story, the man is so blinded by his fortune that he cannot
see in the poor the ones whom Jesus continually admonishes his hearers to
assist.
Opportunities abound for us to help the poor. Catholic Charities, Catholic Relief Services,
St. Vincent de Paul Society, and ten thousand other charitable organizations call
on us for assistance. But certainly our
efforts should go beyond almsgiving. We also
need to rub shoulders with the poor, to hear their stories, and to share with
them a vision of a society where all people live with human dignity.
