The Time is NOW!!!

Remember this line from Saint Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, 5:20-6:2, "In an acceptable time I heard you and on the day of salvation I helped you. Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." This is from the second reading that was read on Ash Wednesday. It comes to mind as I listen to the gospel for today, Luke 16:19-31. The gospel is about the rich man and Lazarus the beggar. Lazarus would lay at the door of the rich man hoping to receive the scraps of food that fell from the rich man's table. Then, both of them died. Lazarus was taken to the bosom of Abraham and the rich man was sent to the netherworld where he said that he was suffering torment in the flames. There is nothing that could be done now. The rich man should have done something for Lazarus while they were alive on earth but he waited until is was too late. That same rich man wanted Abraham to send Lazarus to his brothers so they would not end up where he was. Abraham said those brothers have Moses and the prophets. If they will not listen to them they certainly won't listen if someone goes to them from the dead. Our time to listen is now, while we have the time. Lent is our time to change, to live that conversion of heart. Do not wait until tomorrow because there is no guarantee. Instead, the time to begin is... right now! God bless you in this Lenten journey!!!