Breaking the wall of insensivity

Jer. 17:5-10, Lk. 16:19-31. A ‘fortress mentality’ is on the rise everywhere and in everyone precisely to keep out the needy and the vulnerable brethren like orphans, jobless and seekers of compassion, dignity and affection. Jeremiah’s lament in today's first reading and the parable of Jesus in today's Gospel confront insensitivity to the needs of the poor. The image of the rich man and Lazarus in today's Gospel depicts the growing insensibility in our world today. The frantic craze for possession and accumulation has blinded our world. A healing for this obsession is the way forward. We need to escape from the insanity of hoarding everything for ourselves in the illusory belief that we can secure a future that does not belong to us.

In today’s parable, the imagery changes from Jeremiah’s desert to the gateway of a wealthy person’s villa. Inside there is feasting and outside destitution. The parable challenges us not to let a chasm to develop between us and those who, although physically close to us, live in a different world to the one we inhabit. We can insulate ourselves in our own little worlds. The Lord challenges us to enter the world of others and allow others to enter our world. Jesus entered our world and invites us to enter His world. When we cross the threshold into the world of others, into the world of those who are different from us in all kinds of ways, we may discover that we not only have something to give the other but a great deal to receive as well.

May the Lord continue to guide us on our journey and empower us to live faithfully in accordance with His ways and be obedient to all that He had taught us! Amen!! Good morning, it is well with you!!!