Jeremiah 17:5-10; Luke 16:19-31

We like to build fences to keep out the “undesirables.” Fences give us a sense of security. We build a fence around our heart because we do not want to be vulnerable. Lazarus is sitting at the gate of the fence around our heart waiting for us to share the nourishment we abundantly receive.

God is asking us to be inclusive. God invites us not to ignore the other. What harm would it have done for the rich man to share just a small amount of his sumptuous feast with Lazarus? Perhaps he’s afraid that helping out Lazarus would flush out beggars onto his dining table. If this happened, he would not be able to have the environment that he cannot control. Just think of all the people with sores around his table!

But God is asking us to invite everyone around the table. As a religious congregation, we support many projects that help empower people. We make corporate stances that challenge what we perceive to be the societal norm. These are wonderful acts as a group. I would like to invite each one of us to reflect if we have done the same as individuals. Have we shared our source of nourishment with others?

We are called to live the Gospel life. We live vowed lives to do so. This is what our Father Dominic setout to do, to share generously the love of God to others. We need courage and strength to do this. The First Reading and the Psalm tell us the source of this courage – trust in God. We need to break down the fence around our heart and let Lazarus in. We need to care for the least among God’s creation and know that our trust in God can guide us.

[Song: "What Have We Done for the Poor Ones" by Lori True]

Roselli Tria, OP
San Rafael Dominican Community

March 12, 2009