One Minute Reflection – 21 March – Thursday of the Second week of Lent, Year C
“There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus…”… Luke 16:19–20
REFLECTION – “Lazarus is a good example of the silent cry of the poor throughout the ages and the contradictions of a world in which immense wealth and resources are in the the hands of the few. To ignore a poor man is to scorn God! We must learn this well – to ignore the poor is to scorn God. 
There is a detail in the parable that is worth noting – the rich man has no name but only an adjective – ‘the rich man’, while the name of the poor man is repeated five times and ‘Lazarus’ means ‘God helps’. Lazarus, who is lying at the gate, is a living reminder to the rich man to remember God but the rich man does not receive that reminder. Hence, he will be condemned not because of his wealth but for being incapable of feeling compassion for Lazarus and for not coming to his aid.
God’s mercy toward us is linked to our mercy toward our neighbour, when this is lacking, also that of not finding room in our closed heart, He cannot enter. If I do not thrust open the door of my heart to the poor, that door remains closed. Even to God. This is terrible.”….Pope Francis – General Audience, 18 May 2016
PRAYER – Lord God, You love innocence of heart and when it is lost, You alone can restore it. In Your bounty, You give us all that is good, You give us Your Spirit who teaches us to think and do what is right. Turn then our hearts to You and to our neighbour, especially those who are in need, so that we, may be unwearied in good works. Always helped by the Blessed Virgin, Mother of Charity, we strive to make our lenten journey, one of total self-giving. Through Christ our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.
AnaStpaul 