26TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Amos 6:1.4-7
Psalm 145
1Timothy 6:11-16
Luke 16:19-31

THE PREFERENTIAL OPTION FOR THE POOR

Today’s readings continue the themes of last Sunday, namely wealth, social justice and the preferential option of the poor. They warn us against complacency (first reading) and invite us to be more sensitive and concerned about the miseries and sufferings of others (gospel). For once we fall into the trap of the love of money, we become blind, selfish, and our hearts closed to others and to God. Thus, St Paul admonishes us to strive for righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience and gentleness, and above all faith, hope and charity (second reading).

In fact, the parable of the rich man and the poor Lazarus illustrates the sharp contrast between the two groups that have characterized our human society throughout the ages. On one pole are the “haves” that is the wealthy, the influential people, those who live in abundance, luxury, complacency; and on the other pole, the “have-nots” including the poor, the marginalized, the vulnerable, the needy, the weak, etc.  As such, “a great chasm” (gap, abyss) is created between the rich and the poor.

Again, in the parable we notice a striking reversal of fates and status after death. Lazarus is “comforted” in the bosom of Abraham and the rich man is tormented in the flames. However, this does not mean that the poor will automatically go to paradise while the rich are automatically destined to eternal damnation. The rich in the parable does not suffer torment in the flames because he was rich, but because he was indifferent to the misery of the poor Lazarus who was lying at his door.

It is noteworthy that the rich man is without a name (anonymous), but the poor is named “Lazarus” which means “God has helped”. This rich man represents therefore each one of us. Often we become blind to the misery of others and deaf to the cry of the needy.  But God does not abandon the poor and the oppressed, but he cares for them and rewards those who trust in him (the responsorial psalm). Therefore, this parable invites each of us to care for the poor and to share the “little” we have with them. Small gestures of attention and concern for one’s neighbour are of great importance.

Let us remembers the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: “Amen, I say to you, whatever you do for one of these least brothers of mine, you do for me” (Matt. 25:40). May the Lord grant us the grace to recognize him in the poor, the sick, the sufferer and the needy of our communities. Amen

25TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Amos 8:4-7
Psalm 112(113)
1Timothy 2:1-8
Luke 16:1-13

MONEY IN THE TRIBUNAL OF SOCIAL JUSTICE

Today’s readings appear to be disparate in their themes. From the prophet Amos’ preaching against social injustice, we are led through St Paul’s exhortation to pray for those in authority to an appeal by Jesus to make good use of material goods. In effect, the parable of the crafty and unfaithful steward is one of the most difficult parables in the gospel accounts. This notwithstanding, few points for meditation are worth noting:

(1) The master praises his steward not because of his mismanagement but his prudence. Likewise, in telling his disciples to make friends for themselves with dishonest wealth, Jesus does not praise the dishonesty of this steward but his skill in dealing with material goods. His skill lies in his ability to use his position to make friends: faced with impending dismissal, he cancels important debts to win the sympathy and friendship of the debtors. He was clever in his dishonesty. He showed that he regarded money as a means and not as a goal. And this is the just attitude we should have towards money and material goods.

(2) Money or wealth is described by Jesus as "dishonest" because of how it brings out distorted values ​​in people. In fact, the inordinate pursuit of money can make people selfish, leading them to take advantage of others, to treat them as objects and to be unfaithful to God. This parable invites us therefore to be generous and responsible in the management of our resources. Money and our material resources will not accompany us to heaven. Thus, one must recognize their limits and use them for the good of others. Possessions come with responsibility. If one is trustworthy (faithful) in little things, he could be entrusted with greater things.

(3) Responsible and generous management of money and material goods will bring us closer to the poor, the powerless and the marginalized in our communities. And this is what the social doctrine of the Catholic Church calls “the preferential option of the poor”. Unfortunately, as in the time of the prophet Amos, the poor are rather exploited and oppressed instead of being cared for. Some political and even religious leaders use their people and faithful for their own selfish desires and maximize their profits. Hence, the mismanagement and misappropriation of funds, the widespread corruption and self-serving tax evasion that characterize our institutions.

Therefore, each of us is called to change his attitude towards money and wealth and also pray for our leaders so that they may be wise in promoting peace and justice in our society. May the Lord bless and keep all of us. Amen

24TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Exodus 32:7-11.13-14
Psalm 51
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Luke 15:1-32

THE FOUNTAIN OF MERCY

Today’s readings invite us to meditate on the mercy of God. We serve a God who is full of love, mercy and compassion, slow to anger and always ready to forgive our transgressions. In the first reading,  God relented from his blazing wrath when Moses pleaded on behalf of the people of Israel. For they transgressed the first commandment of the Lord their God by making a golden calf and worshipping it.

The responsorial psalm is one of the famous penitential psalm attributed to king David. It is believed that after his double crime of adultery with Bathsheba and of murder of Urriah, Bathsheba’s husband, he felt the weight of his sin; and so he pleads for God’s mercy and forgiveness. In the second reading, St Paul expresses his joy and gratitude to Christ Jesus for his wonderful mercy and inexhaustible grace shown to him. He recognizes that he is a forgiven sinner and persecutor of the Church who tried to discredit the Christian faith. But God has been generous and merciful to him making him a minister of the Gospel.

The fifteen chapter of Luke’s gospel account has been known as the “gospel of the lost”. It presents three parables of Jesus as a response to the Pharisees and scribes who accused him of being in the company of sinners and tax-collectors: the parable of the lost sheep, the parable of the lost coin and the parable of the lost son (popularly known as the parable of the prodigal son). They give different images of God, but their message is the same: God is a Father who can go to any length to bring the sinner back to a loving relationship with himself. He loves everyone and wishes everyone to be at home. That is why he would go out looking for the lost, bring him back home and celebrate his return.

Thus, we serve a God who is merciful, compassionate and forgiving. He does not treat us as our faults deserve. Consequently, we may be sure of this: no matter how sinful we are, God still loves us. Despite our history often marked by failures, sin, and waywardness, God wants to make something great out of us. His outreaching love and unconditional compassion remain unchanging. Nevertheless, neither can we take his merciful love for granted nor consider his forgiveness as a “sinning license”. We must always strive to avoid the near occasion of sin so as not to go astray and get lost, but always remain at home with him. May we celebrate this Sunday Eucharist with grateful hearts as people reconciled with God their Father in Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and honour for ever and ever. Amen