CUT OFF FROM GOD, WE CAN DO NOTHING (cf. John 15:5)

⏰Thursday of the Second Week of Lent (16 March 2017)

????Jer 17:5-10; Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6 (R. Ps 40:5ab); Matt 16:19-31

Does God lay curse on human being that he created? The simple answer is NO. Remember Ezek 33:11.

So when Jeremiah proclaims a curse or blessing in his oracle from God, he is simply reiterating what Moses earlier said, “I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and calamity…love the Lord, your God…and you will live. But if your heart turns away…you must surely perish” (Deut 30:15-18).

So the curse or blessing, as Jeremiah points out (Jer 17:5-10) is a consequence of being with God or separated from God. The people of Israel were a good example of this. Whenever they were with God, they were triumphant against their opponents but not when they were separated from God.

Sin is that enemy that separate us from God. If we make effort to remain with God, we shall then be like the tree that is planted beside the river; we shall never be thirsty again (Jer 17:8) but cut off from him, we can do nothing (John 15:5).

Have you heard of sin against charity? The story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31 is a practical explanation of that. Jesus told that story against the Pharisees who trusted that their self-righteousness would guarantee them eternal life in the bosom of Abraham. But we can see that the rich man who trusted in his riches suffered in the end but Lazarus who had nothing enjoyed in the end.

Note the reason which Abraham gave for the suffering of the rich man in hades; he enjoyed his life on earth while Lazarus suffered (Luke 16:25). So he was not suffering because he was rich. And I guess that his condition would have been better if he had tried to help the poor Lazarus.

Are you making use of the opportunity which this Lent provides for you to build up treasures for yourself in heaven?

Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Amen

Peace be with you.