HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT YEAR B (1)

HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT YEAR B

HOMILY THEME: DEVELOPING A CHARITABLE ATTITUDE

BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon

HOMILY:

(Lk.16:19-31) Thursday of the Second Week of Lent (Day 16 of Lent)

In the day’s Gospel we have the carrier passage of the Pondo ng Pinoy Movement. Jesus gives the parable of the rich man and the poor man Lazarus.Even with his riches, he deprived Lazarus of anything which will ease even a bit of Lazarus’ poverty. The greed of the rich man became so glaring side by side with the great need of Lazarus. When both died, the rich man went to the netherworlds while the poor man Lazarus was carried by the angels. Note that neither richness nor poverty was the reason for their fate. It was greed for the rich man and sacrifice for Lazarus.

Charity saves. It is not the amount but the attitude. It was unfortunate that the rich man did not even give something for Lazarus to feast on. Even better for the dog who was allowed by Lazarus to lick his sores! Jesus made sure that the message is clear. The contrast shines. We are here to care for each other. Those who have must share to those who have nothing or less. Greed has no place in a place where a Christian resides.

Pondo ng Pinoy adapted this passage in order to communicate the message of giving no matter how little as long as it is consistent. The ultimate goal is to bring back or create the habit of giving. The movement believes that regular charity will result to the development of the attitude to be charitable. Contrary to what many believe, it is not the amount of money generated or given. It is the will to do at least an act of charity everyday.

Again, charity is necessary. It should be a way of life for Christians. Coming from a charitable God, we must be charitable beings. Charity begins at home but it should not end there.