Walking with Jesus: 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

For Sunday, September 28, 2025

Amos 6:1, 4-7; 1 Timothy 6:11-16; Luke 16:19-31


What has our culture taught us? Has it encouraged the possessing  of things, pleasures, money, living in comfortable settings — enjoying life as fully as we can? Is there anything wrong with this? Is it possible for me to live with gratitude in my heart for the abilities, circumstances and advantages that God has placed in my life along with the challenge to share the good things of my life with others — especially those in need? Does my response say this is a need I have — to help others? Is my need one to be lived or one that is merely suggested? The readings seem to be directing us to look at the chasms that exist in our surroundings — the ones that separate rich from poor, hungry from well-fed, children from adults, humans from the rest of the earth. Am I conscious of the rest of the world or do I even care to be? Do I distinguish people who know it all from other people who also know it all? Or people I’d like to get even with? Why does this exist? Is it because I have to be in the right or feel I’m always in the right? There are great chasms everywhere, but God loves me and everyone all the time. Am setting myself up against God? Does my society want it this way? Does it seem that these great chasms exist everywhere, uncovered by us thinking we can decide what God wants united?  Hmm?

The prophet appears to be condemning the enjoyment of extravagant wealth, but re-reading the first verse shows that is not the case. He is not denouncing wealth itself but of the complacency that often accompanies it. Am I complacent when I exude dissatisfaction, smugness, pride? Amos is distressed because the affluent take pleasure from feeling much more important than the “rest of peoples.” Does this sneak into the way I express myself around others? Amos seems to think that the “rich” get this way because of their habit of self-indulgence at feasts, lounging on elegant couches luxuriously fashioned The opulence of their surroundings is matched by the menu — a diet of meat is a rarity in ancient Israel, and they drink wine not from the customary goblets but from wide-mouthed bowls. It’s amazing that Amos does not describe how these people are dressed but goes to great length discussing the costly oils they’re wearing. These people who put themselves first will be the first deported into exile. Amos warns all about these material comforts that so easily make one complacent to the jarring realities of war — the violence, suffering and oppression that acutely affect the less privileged. Jesus insisted that we be always aware of the poor. Am I? Do I want to be?

Paul is writing about what we as Christians are to do — how to act, how to live. It’s interesting that we start out with verse 11 because the preceding verses are powerful, especially verse 10: “For the love of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains.” And today’s verse: “But man of God, avoid all this. Instead, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience and gentleness.” [1 Timothy 6:10-11] Pursuing wealth could lead to one’s “ruin and destruction.” [v. 9] The bottom line? Nothing less than eternal life is at stake. This holds true in Jesus’ time — Paul’s time — our time!

Jesus depicts a man who indulges in luxury and neglects the poor. His parable continues, describing reversals of fortunes which is a common theme in Luke’s gospel. Just as the rich man and Lazarus experience opposite lots in this life, they do so in the next life — heaven. Some interesting points here: The rich man is not given a name but the poor man is Lazarus, which is the Greek from of Eliezer which means “my God helps” (a reflection in itself). It seems that the rich man is impervious to Lazarus — some preachers say he doesn’t even know his name. True, but when he is alive and in a position to help Lazarus, he disregards him. Now that he is in the “afterlife” and in need, he asks Lazarus first to comfort him and then to warn his brothers. Even in death the man is only concerned with himself and with those who are like him — and this is why he suffers. He has not been faithful to his covenant responsibilities. He didn’t change his life. No metanoia, no conversion. He didn’t care!

So I reflect on:

• Today’s world is next door to us because of global communication. We are well aware of pain and suffering — the rich man had five brothers like him who could have changed but didn’t. How attentive am I to the suffering at my own doorstep?
• Like the rich man, I am centered on my own wants and needs. Who are the people who have helped shape my life in maturity, and  my Christians values? Am I grateful?

Sacred Space 2025 states:

“God respects our free choices and we have to take responsibility for them. St. Paul reminds us in
2 Corinthians 6, ‘Now is the acceptable time.’ We pray to use our time on earth well and live our lives guided by the teaching and example of Jesus Christ, who is much greater than Moses and the prophets.

“Our faith is based on the fact, attested to by witnesses, that Jesus rose from the dead, but many people have still to be convinced. We thank God for the gift of faith and pray to grow in it.”