Reflection for 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Sept. 25, 2022
Amos 6:1a,4-7: This passage begins with a stern warning from the prophet, Amos to the ruling classes in Judah and Israel. They have become complacent in their spiritual lives, as well as lazy. They disregard and ignore their relationship with God and instead concentrate on enjoying worldly wealth and the shallow pleasures it affords them. They selfishly concentrate on their own enjoyment, rather than on their responsibility to care for the poor and suffering. Care for those more vulnerable and less fortunate is the duty of all of us; even today, if we are to be faithful and obedient as God’s children and the heirs/heiresses of God’s Kingdom. The prophet decries these leaders’ lack of preparedness for the doom which is soon coming upon them… the occupation of their nation and the exile. How about us… are we preparing ourselves for hard times; and, eventually, our deaths?
Psalm 146: “Praise the Lord, my soul!” If God expects the neglectful leaders in our first reading to care for and nurture their people, then the psalmist shows us God’s good example in this psalm. God is faithful. God seeks justice for the oppressed and expects leaders to do so, as well. Like God, good leaders should see to it that the hungry get fed, and that those imprisoned unjustly get set free. As God does in this psalm, good leaders work to empower the disadvantaged. Good leaders see to it that the sick, whether rich or poor, have access to health care; and good leaders work to see that all are treated with justice; despite their race, ethnicity, religion, age, gender or stage of development. The lives of all their people are important to a good leader.
1 Tim 6:11-16: As St. Paul reminds us, today, not just our leaders are called to live virtuous lives of service to others. We all are called to love and minister to one another. Ponder Paul’s call to pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience and gentleness. If we all strove for these virtues, our world could be changed; to truly become an afore-taste of Heaven! Paul stresses that we must focus on our calling to faithfully obey the Ten Commandments. Paul assertively warns us that the Lord will come for us, and perhaps soon… as God did for many of the people whom Amos was warning in our first reading, today. Let’s consider reading the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes a few times this week and take time to examine our consciences. How are we doing at living our faith? Remember that one day we’ll have to account for ourselves to the Lord!
Luke 16:19-31: Here, in the story of Lazarus and the rich man, we focus even more intently on the sin of indifference to the suffering of others; especially the innocent, the poor, those with disabilities and marginalized groups who are discriminated against. Notice in this story that Lazarus is identified by name; so that we’re reminded that the poor and suffering are people like us. We mustn’t depersonalize those we assist, as mere statistics. We must meet them as others whom we care about, and know them and their stories. Notice how the rich man in the story goes unnamed. That’s because the “rich man or woman” has our name… your name or mine. We are all “rich” in some talent or resource and can help others who need us. Are we doing so? We don’t want to end up like the rich man in the story. Ponder this carefully! Deacon Matt