September 29th : Gospel Reflection for this Sunday The 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Please read Br Michael’s reflection for Sunday September 29th
The Rich Man and Poor Lazarus
The Gospel this Sunday, while not a direct continuation of last week’s, does have some things in common with it. This parable develops many themes from last week, including the proper use of money and how we treat each other. But this is not an easy gospel to read because it is very radical and challenging. It asks us the very basic question; how do I treat those around me who have less then I have and who are in need?
Lazarus is a poor man who has clearly fallen on hard times. He is sitting at the gate of the house of wealthy man who used to dress in purple and fine linen and feast magnificently every day. But as the poor man lay there tired, cold and hungry, the rich man did nothing help him; he didn’t even give him the scraps from his table. Both die; Lazarus goes to heaven, the rich man goes to Hades. While suffering in Hades, he cries out to Abraham who is comforting Lazarus for help and some relief. However, the reply he receives is not good. He is told that while they were both alive, he did absolutely nothing to help Lazarus when he was suffering! Strong words indeed!
We know that we live in world where there is greater and greater injustice and inequality. The gap between the rich and the poor is getting wider every day. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. This is not happening ‘out there’ somewhere; this happening in our own country, our own town, and more importantly in our communities and parishes. Sadly the need for foodbanks is rising in many towns and neighbourhoods. The number of homeless people is rising, as is the number of those who are unemployed. This, as we know leads to crippling poverty and suffering, especially for families.
This brings us back to this demanding and challenging Gospel. We can’t read it without being disturbed. To repeat; it asks us the very basic question; how do I treat those around me who have less then I have and who are in need?
Every day we see many who are like Lazarus. Ordinary people like you and me who have for whatever reason fallen on difficult times. We see them on the streets; some are homeless, others asking for money. Some are in our own locality, some may be even in our own parish communities. What is our reaction to them? What is our response?
When we see someone who needs our help, we have a simple decision to make; we can do something or we can do nothing. The choice is ours. If I call myself a Christian, how do l live may faith in concrete ways in my daily life? In his letter, The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis reminds us that ‘there is an inseparable link between our faith and the poor.’ (48) Just as Francis is clear and direct with us, so too is Jesus. We cannot simply ignore the poor who are on our doorstep. We cannot close our hearts or turn a blind eye to those around us who are in need.
This week may we open our heart, our eyes and stretch out our hands to help those around us who are suffering and who are simply asking us to acknowledge and help them.
-Br Michael Moore OMI
Gospel for Sunday September 29th : Luke 16:19-31 ©
Dives and Lazarus
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