March 20: Thursday of the second week of Lent Our Probing God Readings: Jer 17:5; Luke 16:19-31 Scripture: I, the Lord, alone probe the mind and test the heart, To reward everyone according to his ways, according to the merit of his deeds (Jer 17:10) Reflection: Our probing God does a thorough job. God probes the mind God probes the heart God probes our conscience. No stone-or rather, no thought feeling, or deed-goes unnoticed. Each of us, like the rich man and Lazarus too, has a cognitive, affective, snd behavioural domain that will be tested and evaluated. The cognitive domain! Thoughts matter. The rich man, unconcerned about the poor, was aware of the law (Moses) and the prophets. He was given Gods game plan and could not use the excuse of ignorance. But the rich man, from the land of the dead, knew that his brothers too had access to prophetic messages. Like himself, the brothers needed something more to awaken them to their social responsibilities. Maybe, just maybe if someone from the dead would return, the brothers and sisters would come to their senses. Fat chance, says the Lord. The affective domain! Lets give credit where credit is due.The rich man was concerned about his brothers. He had some grain of compassion, at least for his own kin, if not for the stranger Lazarus. But that seems to be the limit. God probed the rich mans heart and found it cold, as cold as the unconverted Ebenezer Scrooge. Caught up in his fine cloth and sumptuous food, the rich man ignored Lazarus and his plight. The behavioral domain! Thought an affectivity have the power to our behavior. The rich man did not do anything; he just simply remained absorbed in himself and his comfort and ignored the poor. God probesmthe conscience and the rich man found himself guilty. Long before we search for God, in silence or creation or salvation history, God is already searching for us, probing our minds, hearts, and behavior with his graced-filled light. Prayer: Loving and probing God, be gentle with us. Our minds are so clouded, our hearts so fragile, our behavior so ambiguous. Have mercy on our weakness and send your Spirit to enlighten our minds, enkindle our hearts, and empower us to know and do your will.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 15:21:33 +0000
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