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Maybe it is this: the less our hands are wrapped around things for our identity and meaning, the more they will be open and available for receiving and sharing. To receive is sacramental. To grasp, cling to, and protect as ultimate, is sacrilegious.

The 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Amos 6:1a, 4-7

Psalm 146:7, 8-9a, 9b-10

1 Timothy 6:11-16

L uke 16:19-31 "There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. (20) And at his gate lay a poor man named Laz'arus, full of sores, (21) who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. (22) The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; (23) and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Laz'arus in his bosom. (24) And he called out, `Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Laz'arus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.' (25) But Abraham said, `Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Laz'arus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. (26) And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.' (27) And he said, `Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, (28) for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' (29) But Abraham said, `They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' (30) And he said, `No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' (31) He said to him, `If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.'"

Meditation by Larry Gillick

PRE-PRAYERING

W hen I was a young and very pious, our days were compartmentalized, that is, they began and ended by bells. There was this huge old swinging bell that woke us all up, (including God), at five in the morning. One time some lively characters climbed up the tower and stuffed the bell with newspapers so as to silence its tongue. Eventually Ordo Regularis was restored.

Our morning prayer-time was segmented into three twenty-minute sections, and yes, the little bell either woke us up again or invited us to quit dreaming and get back to prayer. We did things by the book and bell. When studying, a bell would ring and we would move from one subject to the next in our private rooms.

Mass had its place and time. There was a problem there though which lingers even to this day for me and us. When the bell rang, mass was over and breakfast was next. We had done the liturgy and now it was on to the next and then the next. We left mass behind; it was the early-morning celebration and we were there, but it ended.

The liturgy ends, but the continuation or effects of that sacramental encounter drifted off with the sounds of the bells. What is wonderfully new is that the Mass does not end! We actually are sent, bells or no bells, to embread (sic) ourselves. We prepare for the next Eucharist by being the grace we have received. The liturgy begins the continuation. The liturgy takes a speck of time to consecrate our time and all time.

We do not do the “God Thing” and then get on with our time. The Eucharist departmentalizes life and my actions after the liturgy become as holy as the actions we perform within the liturgy. Everything is holy now, and now, and now again. We have no bells in our little house, but we do try to live the actions we perform.

REFLECTION

A mos, who was a “trimmer of Sycamores” and a simple shepherd, has been given the prophetic word to address to the fat-cats humming, strumming away their lives. Whatever was passing for luxurious the religious leaders were indulging in it early and often.

There is going to be a time of change for them, not only because of their wanton ways, but their lack of concern for “Joseph” which is one of the names for Israel. Their hangover will be in exile and Israel will also suffer the consequences of their disinterest. It seems the truth again that where there is a lack of care and compassion, or where there are addictions or indulgence, others suffer. It is not a tragedy that a tree falls in the woods, but that it falls on smaller trees to their destruction.

It is very important to listen to the parable in terms of exactly to whom it is addressed. Some parables are addressed to the followers of Jesus and they are usually a description of some aspect of God. The parables addressed to the Pharisees are directed at their lack of concern for the poor and needy. This is the theme of today’s Gospel.

There is a rich man and his self-preoccupation prevents him from tending to the poor man at the rich man’s gate. Both die and the rich man goes to a place of great want and deprivation. The poor man is pictured as being in the abundance of God’s covenantal love. This is the first part of the parable.

The second part has to do with the conversation Lazarus (the name is taken to mean, “The One God Cares For”) has with Abraham, and the suffering rich man cries out for just a little something. Now remember, the Pharisees hold fast to the traditions of Abraham and now they hear Abraham telling the rich man that he had much during his life, but forgot that all was not just for him. The parable is beginning to tighten their shoes.

The rich man asks for help for his father and brothers, but Abraham tells them that the father and brothers have Moses and the prophets for enough guidance. See, the parable is explaining to the Pharisees that they too have not only Abraham, but Moses and the prophets to assist them in how they are to live, especially in relationship with the poor. The conversation is not over yet.

The rich man asks that Lazarus be allowed to go, somebody from the dead whom the father and brothers would certainly listen to. Then the important line which ends the Gospel’s reading. The Pharisees will have a Someone rise from the dead and they will not listen to Him.

The message is clear. Abraham, Moses, the prophets within the religious tradition of the Pharisees all have been saying the same things about caring for the orphans, widows, the sick and needy. Jesus is saying the same thing and the Pharisees continue arguing the point.

The rich man kept Lazarus at a safe distance. He refused to reach out, to touch a very needy person. He also resisted being touched by the poor man. Here is just a simple statement. Every person I know who has been touched through their personal contact with the poor, in its many forms, is a deeper person for that contact. That depth has to do with the awareness of the more important values of life.

Generally speaking one might notice that the rich are forced to live more on the surface where wealth is easily displayed. So then they are the poorer in spirit and in relationships. Lazarus had something of real worth to offer the rich man and when death came the transmission of Lazarus’ gifts became impossible. Maybe it is this: the less our hands are wrapped around things for our identity and meaning, the more they will be open and available for receiving and sharing. To receive is sacramental. To grasp, cling to, and protect as ultimate, is sacrilegious.

“O Lord, remember the words you spoke to me your servant, which made me live in hope and consoled me when I was downcast.” Ps. 119, 49-50

Supplementary Reading

It's No Surprise to God

But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph… - 2 Corinthians 2:14

In life, we all have to deal with the unexpected. Just because we're believers, just because we're good people or doing the right thing doesn't make us exempt from trouble. The scripture says, "The rain falls on the just and the unjust." In times when something unexpected happens, or you find yourself facing a crisis, you don't have to go into "panic mode" or fall apart emotionally.

Remember, that crisis is no surprise to God. It may be unexpected to you, but God knows the end from the beginning. He has solutions to problems that you haven't even had. He has equipped you for every battle, and He goes before you making your crooked places straight.

Today, focus on the fact that He is with you. Remember that He is walking with you and guiding you to a place of peace and victory. No matter what has happened, He will take what the enemy meant for evil and turn it around for your good! He always leads us in victory, so keep moving forward trusting in the good plan He has for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, I come to You with an open and humble heart. I thank You for the victory that You have in store for me even when I can't see it. I choose to trust You and Your goodness knowing that You are faithful. In Jesus' Name. Amen. – Joel & Victoria Osteen

GOD BLESS US ALL!

O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

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