How easy it is for us to idolize ourselves or others! Once our ultimate trust in not in God, we shall be floating around our emotions and sentiments, people’s promises and goodwill, etc. Sometimes we engage in tedious tasks, undertake spiritual exercises, but all for people to applaud us and for us to gain material things. When we judge God’s grace by human or material standards, that could be a sign that our trust is in the flesh. The disastrous end of the man who trusts in possessions and in pleasure is clearly demonstrated in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus.
The man who has climbed the heights of spirituality and
placed his trust in God will go out of his way to care for his neighbor. He will
not be attached to wealth, but will be charitable. Since his heart is rooted in
God like the tree that is planted by the waterways, he will always be evergreen
and flourish. That means as we practice almsgiving this season of Lent, we
thereby deepen our trust in God. The Lord says through the prophet Jeremiah, “I
the Lord search the mind and try the heart, to give go every man according to his
ways, according to the fruit of his doings.” Amen.
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.
Thursday March 9th, 2023.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com
16th Lenten meditation
