The message in today’s readings is abundantly clear.  In the first reading, Amos warns the people of Israel that unless they change their selfish ways and look after the poor in their community, they will lose what they have and be led into exile. The psalm tells us that God is the champion of the poor and the suffering.  The Gospel reading is the familiar story of the Rich Man and Lazarus.  Clearly, we are being told that we have a responsibility to look after those less fortunate than ourselves.  But it doesn’t take much searching, right here in our parish and our community, to find those in desperate need of the basics that we take for granted. Why?

There are people who believe that everything they have came as the result of their own abilities; they made their way in the world, and they feel neither the need nor the desire to share with others.  Their sin is in not realizing that all good things ultimately are gifts from God.  The talents and circumstances that allowed them to be successful came from God.  Then there are those who suffer from a scarcity mentality; they believe that there is a finite amount of good things…money, happiness, possessions, etc.  They fear that if they give away some of what they have, there won’t be enough left for them.  They fail to realize that God will not be outdone when it comes to generosity; Jesus told us this on several occasions. Finally, there are those who do give generously, but are complacent with what they contribute. They feel that they’re doing enough.  Perhaps they are, but perhaps not.  We can always do more; again, God will not be outdone.

Yet, we shouldn’t give out of fear, but out of love.  We are called to love God above all, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.  Jesus told us that whatever we do for another, we do for Him.  Jesus is most evident in those who are in need, and our love for Him should be evident in our love and care for others. 

Reflection by parishioner John Ceglarek