(Audio)
Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings,
who seeks his strength in flesh,
whose heart turns away from the LORD.
He is like a barren bush in the desert
that enjoys no change of season,
But stands in a lava waste,
a salt and empty earth.
In the Gospel the rich man dressed in purple is an example of one who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh. Doubtless, he does not think of himself that way. He is only interested in feasting and clothing and the finer things of life. It is just that he is so interested in them as to miss the poor man on his door steps. His inability to see beyond his own desires lowers him even beneath the dogs, who for their part at least, do what they can for Lazarus.
Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.
The rich man invests in things that are temporary. As a result they are eventually exhausted and he experiences the desert that is the deepest reality of separation from God.
Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue,
for I am suffering torment in these flames.’
He was in the desert, beyond the help of others. But it was precisely his choice to isolate himself, to prefer himself, to love himself, and not others, that was finally and absolutely granted to him. Even the smallest movement of love toward Lazarus might have opened the door for him to begin, in return, to taste the living water.
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose hope is the LORD.
He is like a tree planted beside the waters
that stretches out its roots to the stream:
It fears not the heat when it comes,
its leaves stay green;
The point of both the gospel is not to become so fixated on the good things of this present life so as to ignore what really matters. It tells us we need to make concrete choices now while their is still time for us to choose. It is not suggesting that we need to accomplish great and heroic deeds. It is only asking that we open ourselves to love. We can decide to prefer being rooted and grounded and the love of God to the things of this world (see Ephesians 3:17). Therein is the only path to lasting fulfillment.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
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