Thursday of the Second Week of Lent
(Jeremiah 17:5-10; Luke 16:19-31)
Ludwig Beethoven along with many others felt that Napoleon
Bonaparte would bring the values of democracy to all of Europe. Beethoven wrote his third symphony in honor
of the French general, entitling it “Bonaparte.” But when Napoleon crowned himself emperor,
Beethoven tore up the title page and renamed the work “The Eroica” after the
ideals which Napoleon abandoned.
Jeremiah in today’s first reading feels a similar disillusionment.
The prophet, who experienced much hope and disappointment
with Judah’s leaders, writes that placing one’s hope in human beings is
fruitless. Indeed, he likens such hope
to a shrub in a desert that cannot produce fruit. Jeremiah finds salvation in following the
ways of God, which are truthful and, in the end, productive of human flourishing.
Jesus’ parable of the “Rich Man and Lazarus” provides
testimony to Jeremiah’s conclusion. The
rich man ignores God’s Law which extols almsgiving. He also violates the wisdom of the prophets
who railed against neglect of the poor. In
our prosperity we better take heed of the rich man’s fate and help protect the vulnerable.
