Daily Gospel Reflection
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February 29, 2024
Jesus said to the Pharisees:
“There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen
and dined sumptuously each day.
And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,
who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps
that fell from the rich man’s table.
Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.
When the poor man died,
he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham.
The rich man also died and was buried,
and from the netherworld, where he was in torment,
he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off
and Lazarus at his side.
And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me.
Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue,
for I am suffering torment in these flames.’
Abraham replied, ‘My child,
remember that you received what was good during your lifetime
while Lazarus likewise received what was bad;
but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.
Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established
to prevent anyone from crossing
who might wish to go from our side to yours
or from your side to ours.’
He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him
to my father’s house,
for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them,
lest they too come to this place of torment.’
But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets.
Let them listen to them.’
He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham,
but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
Then Abraham said,
‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets,
neither will they be persuaded
if someone should rise from the dead.'”
I hope today’s Gospel from Luke inspires the same discomfort in you that it did in me. Today’s description of the rich man is stark: he is dressed in fine linens and feasts “sumptuously” every day. Looking at myself now, I think my pair of waterproof Cole Haan boots and my Greek salad lunch seem like a decent modern equivalent.
This is our first point of reflection on today’s Gospel: let us recognize how well-off so many of us are! Those of us who eat meat nearly every day, have different shoes for different times of the year, own property, and have savings in the bank are doing better, materially speaking, than at least 80% of the global population. We should approach this knowledge with both thanksgiving and a healthy sense of trepidation.
Why do I say trepidation? Is being well-off categorically bad? The answer and second point of reflection for today lies in the rest of Jesus’ story. This rich man does not end up in Hades because of his riches and status: He ends up there because Lazarus lies at his gate.
Can you imagine how often the rich man must have physically stepped over Lazarus to leave home and return? On errands, on business, to go to religious services, to visit family? The key to the story is the rich man’s attentiveness to his wealth and materials contrasted with his blindness to the plight of Lazarus. In his great wealth, the rich man’s lack of concern for the suffering of his fellow man is unnatural—in a way that even the dogs did not share.
This is the uncomfortable, challenging, and beautiful word that Jesus has for us today. Let us ask the Lord: who am I stepping over at my gate? And what material items or obsessions are clouding my vision, to the detriment of the world and to my soul?
Prayer
Almighty and everliving God, open my ears that I might hear the cry of the poor and the appeal of the prophet. Free me from preoccupations and preferred status that I might humbly serve at the side of your Son, Jesus, who reveals your promise of life in every word and deed. May I welcome his presence in our midst and heed his call, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Saint of the Day

Blessed Antonia of Florence entered the convent after her husband died, and though she gave the example of an undeniably holy life to others, she was not immune to the problems of family discord.
She was born in 1401 in Florence, Italy, and married at a young age. Her husband died in 1428, after they had one child, and she refused to be convinced to marry again. She felt a call to dedicate her life to God through prayer.
She entered a Franciscan community, and gave such a good example of religious life that she was given leadership roles and transferred to several different convents. Eventually, she came to lead her own convent, where she was able to form a community that adhered to a strict rule of poverty in imitation of St. Clare. Soon more than 100 women joined the community.
Antonia is said to have had remarkable patience and humility. For more than 15 years, she bore without complaint a very painful illness. Though she served as founder and abbess, she sought out the most menial and disagreeable tasks; she wore the most worn-out clothes and set aside all honors and distinctions. Above all, like St. Francis, she loved poverty—she even called it “Queen of the House.”
She saw her share of troubles: when her son grew up, he squandered his inheritance, and used to bring other relatives to the convent to bother Antonia with their conflicts and disputes. She also bore several trials in her prayer life and turbulence in the leadership of the Franciscan order in the region.
At times, during her prayer, she seemed to levitate. Other times, she was noted to be in a kind of ecstasy, and some observed light to emit from her head that brightened the whole room.
She died at the age of 71 on this date in 1472. Her body remains in Aquila, and is said to be in an state of incorruption; a number of miracles were reported at her tomb. On non-leap years, her feast is held on Feb. 28.
Blessed Antonia of Florence, you knew the trouble of family problems and led others in the search for holiness—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of Bl. Antonia of Florence is in the public domain. Last accessed December 6, 2024 on Wikimedia Commons.