Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: March 5,2026

Date: Thursday of the 2^nd Week of Lent

Scripture Text:   Luke 16:19-31

Jesus said to the Pharisees:

"There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man's table.Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.' Abraham replied, 'My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.' He said, 'Then I beg you, father, send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.' But Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.' He said, 'Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' Then Abraham said, 'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'" 

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

Today’s gospel reading features Jesus’ parable about the rich man and Lazarus. We are reminded of how we can be indifferent to the sufferings of others that aren’t affecting us. We are also reminded of the final judgment we all know is real.

Jesus challenges us to “see” the other and to “feel” empathetically with the other. And Jesus, the one who would “rise from the dead” warns us to use our lives and resources lovingly and well.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I daily seek to “see” and “feel” empathetically those whom I encounter on my journey? Do I daily seek to treat others with loving kindness such as I myself would hope to receive?

Praying:

LORD,  Almighty Father, Source of all being, Love itself, You created us from love and call us to live as instruments of your love in this world. You sent your only-begotten Son to dwell among us, to reveal not only You and your amazing love for us but also your will that we love others as You love. He not only taught us with sermons and parables, but even more powerfully with His own actions and life. Send your Spirit to stir within us the love You have woven within our very creation and beings. Grant that we may grow in your transformative love and allow it to brim over into the lives of others on the way. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.