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Jealousy has always led to the most shameful murders .  The anger or bitterness associated with jealousy is perhaps one of the most pernicious because we can hardly admit to it to ourselves, let alone to others.  As soon as we find others who agree with us, or who collaborate with us in jealousy, we become capable of assembling and justifying structures of malice and murder.  We should always examine our hearts for jealousy because, by it, the devil is very effective in his work of turning brother against brother.  It was the case for Cain and Abel, Joseph and his brothers, David and Saul, the prophets, and finally Jesus and the chief priests and Pharisees. read more

St. Jerome offers us an interesting definition of the name “Lazarus.”  He says it means, “one who has been helped.”  The theme of today’s readings is on trusting in God’s providence, strength, and salvation.  Clearly the rich man trusted in his own wealth rather than in the help that comes from God.  Had he trusted in the help that comes from God, he would have understood that he was in a position, providentially, to help Lazarus.  All of the good things that the rich man had were ultimately from God, but he saw them as somehow belonging exclusively to him even when Lazarus was in need.  Ironically, perhaps, it is Lazarus who is actually helped whereas the rich man, in all the “blessings” God had bestowed on him is actually hindered from salvation. read more

Quotes:

“See that we must first cleanse ourselves, and then God cleanses us. He first said, “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean,” and then said, “I will make you white.” … The power of repentance is then tremendous as it makes us white as snow and wool, even though sin had stained our souls.”

“Do you wish to have no wrinkle? Stretch yourself on the cross. You see, you do not only need to be washed but also to be stretched, in order to be without stain or wrinkle; because by the washing sins are removed, while by the stretching a desire is created for the future life, which is what Christ was crucified for.” read more