Daily Lenten Reflections

Thursday, March 5, 2026

Thursday of the Second Week

Reflection

Today’s readings have a common theme of God-centered generosity of heart in contrast to rejection of God, turning instead to a false god of earthly prosperity.

Psalm 1 was written as a preface to the Psalter most likely during King David’s reign around 1,000 BC or later. Jeremiah, a priest and prophet (c.570 BC – 650 BC), would have known Psalm 1 and borrowed its imagery for today’s first reading. Both readings describe relationship with God as a tree planted near a stream, its roots stretching to the water’s life-giving nourishment for fruitful blessings. The heart turned away from God is “as chaff that the wind blows away” (Psalm 1) or as a shrub planted in the barren salt lands (Jeremiah). Loving relationship with God brings us nourishment of faith, hope and charity, and a pathway to everlasting life. The Gospel translates the Old Testament imagery into the parable of the rich man and poor Lazarus. In this passage and throughout Jesus’ ministry, we hear that God favors the poor and brings heavenly re-lief to the suffering. Our actions of generosity, recognizing Christ among us, are key to salvation.

Prayer

We ask the intersession of our patron saints to inspire generosity of heart and to embolden our actions to respond to the needs of the poor. We pray that our Lenten prayers and actions will bring us and others closer to you, God, our Love.

Ann Cousins
Member of the Worshipping Community

Scripture
First Reading: Jeremiah 17:5-10
Psalm 1:1-4, 6
Gospel: Luke 16:19-31

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

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Mission of Edmundite Campus Ministry

The Mission of Edmundite Campus Ministry at Saint Michael’s College is to share the Good News of the Gospel with the College community by facilitating encounter with Jesus Christ. We do this through the celebration of the Church’s Liturgy, in programs promoting knowledge of the Catholic faith, by developing ecumenical and interreligious relationships, and providing retreats and other opportunities for personal spiritual growth.

The Catholic and Edmundite tradition upon which the College was founded is grounded in the conviction that all women and men are created in the image and likeness of God providing a special dignity unique to each person. Such dignity requires human life to be respected in all of its stages recognizing that we are all children of God.

Therefore, in its pursuit of furthering the Reign of God, the Edmundite Campus Ministry staff seeks to interact with and support every member of the College community in their search for Truth, contributing to the “enhancement of the human person and to the advancement of human culture in light of the Catholic faith.”