Homily for Thursday of the 2nd Week of Lent
Theme: If I Were A Rich Man…
Homeless Sculpture, Capernaum
By: Deacon Bill Frere
Homily for Thursday March 17 2022
Gospel – Luke 16:19-31
When we first got married, we lived in a very tiny studio apartment. We used wooden nail kegs as chairs and a cable reel as our table. We made our own Christmas ornaments that first year and still have some of them to this day. We would spend some cold days at the Library because the apartment was too cold. Our one luxury was a sofa sleeper! Were we rich? By any economic standard, definitely not! Were we happy? Absolutely! Granted, we look back on that time with a touch of nostalgia but, all in all, we made do with what we had! We didn’t really focus on what we didn’t have or couldn’t afford! We just made good use of what we had!
The Rich Man in today’s Gospel just doesn’t get it! It’s not that Jesus is condemning everyone who is rich. I think it’s more about what are you doing with what you have! That rich man walks by Lazarus every day but he doesn’t really see him, doesn’t really respond to him in any neighborly way. He had a chance every single day to help him but, no, he ignored him and treated him with contempt. He put his faith and his heart into things of this world – money, possessions, fine clothes – and not on God.
God has granted each and every one of us gifts and talents. Maybe for some of us, that includes a comfortable lifestyle. In any case, God challenges us to make good use of what He has given us. He calls us to really see those around us who are in need and to respond! He calls us to be thankful for what we have and to truly see those in front of us who could benefit from our gifts and talents, to make “good use” of what we have!
Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who hopes in the Lord!
Deacon Bill Frere