Thursday of the 2nd Week of Lent
Jer 17:5-10
Lk 16:19-31
And at his gate there lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to fill himself with the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table.
Today’s Gospel passage on Lazarus and the rich man, whom I read somewhere is left unnamed to encourage us to put ourselves in his place, is often used during Lent as a call for us to engage in acts of charity. A few years ago, I was quite relieved to hear a priest explain in his homily that the rich man had gone to hell not because he was rich, but because he had failed to do anything for Lazarus; nevertheless, the reading still serves as a disquieting reminder that my good intentions to be more charitable with my resources, time and other gifts I take for granted often do not work out.
But I gained a fresh perspective on the passage after reading Small Things Like These by the Irish author Claire Keegan. While it is a slim novella (which I amazingly finished in just two sittings), it left me with much to ponder on both spiritually and secularly.
Without giving too much away, the story focuses on the main character’s decision about a ‘big thing’ in opposition to his family’s and community’s advice. It also shows how his decision was based on an accumulation of ‘small things’ that he had experienced and learned from those around him.
Extending this to the rich man’s story, perhaps the rich man had regarded the act of reaching out to Lazarus as a ‘big thing’ requiring time and effort he was unable to provide (just like how I find it onerous to carry out charity due to a multitude of reasons such as my busy schedule, lack of companions or anxiety about unfamiliar situations). But if he had been open to chances to do the ‘small things’, like gathering the leftovers from his table, he would have still provided Lazarus some help. Over time, perhaps the rich man could have gradually done more according to his own pace, until he would finally be sufficiently motivated/able to do the ‘big thing’, or his help could even have supported Lazarus to improve his own situation through his own means.
The converse about the accumulative effect of small things would also apply as well, as I found myself thinking of an earlier comment (from a video I can no longer remember) likening venial sins to minor cracks in vinyl floor lining. If these cracks were not significant, we could find ourselves gradually ignoring them and not repairing them till they caused real damage. Perhaps the rich man had grown inert in this manner too.
Which now leads me to wonder what little things I can embark on for this Lent, to avoid turning out like the rich man. These could be in terms of what I do or not do, say or not say (which might be harder), towards those I am not familiar with or those I encounter regularly (which can also be more difficult!). Indeed, it might actually be more challenging to introduce little changes in my routine than to embark on significant penances on a one-off basis. Hopefully, I can seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance and perseverance for my efforts and then offer them up in the trust that the Lord can use them in His own unexpected ways.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Jaclyn Lam)
Prayer: Lord, through your Holy Spirit, help us to discern your promptings and carry out acts of charity (big or small). Please give us discipline to carry out Lenten acts of penance which bring us closer to You, and perseverance when we fail.
Thanksgiving: We give thanks for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and seek guidance and courage to make a good confession this Lent.
OXYGEN 
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