Fr Christophe Ndiwe Chiza, sx.
REFLECTION ON THE GOSPEL READING OF 26th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C
THE RICH MAN AND THE POOR LAZARUS
1st Reading Amos 6: 1a, 4-7; 2nd Reading 1Timothy 6: 11-16; Gospel Reading Luke 16: 19-31
In this 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time, the evangelist Luke returns to the subject of wealth. Last Sunday we heard about the parable of the dishonest steward. What catches the attention of Jesus in this parable is not the manager’s dishonesty, but his shrewdness in providing for his future. On this 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Liturgy places before us the parable of the poor Lazarus, sitting at the closed door of the rich man. There is no pity, no acceptance for the real problem of the poor man.
This parable is the only one in which Jesus gave a name to one of the characters. And it is a faithful mirror which displays not only the situation of the society at the time of Jesus, but also our society of the 21st century. The parable points out the indifference which dominates our modern society. In the parable there are three persons: the poor man, Lazarus (God’s help), the rich man and Father Abraham. The poor man has a name but does not speak. He hardly exists and his only friends are the little dogs which lick his wounds. It is very shameful and sad for us human being. The poor are getting poorer and the rich are getting richer. The human solidarity and charity are questionable. We have forgotten our common origin. But where is the world going?
Going back to the parable, we notice that the rich man does not have a name but speaks always and insists. Indeed, in our modern society the poor does not have nothing to say. The poor lives in silence and dies in silence. Through this parable, whom do we most feel sorry for? Is it Lazarus in the beginning of the story or the rich man in the middle and the end of the parable? Let us keep in mind that, no condition is permanent. And let us not forget that the glory and wealth of this world will pass away. Indeed, nothing is permanent. The parable reminds us that there is life after death. We should not be focused on the World; focus on the love of neighbor and the love of God. Let us fight against poverty and social injustice. Let us open the closed door of our indifference and enter into contact with the poor, the marginalized and the excluded.
In the second reading, Saint Paul calls a believer a “Man of God.” “But you, man of God, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.” We are called to be people of God and not people of the World. The world has been created by God. Let us not be so much attached to the gift and forget about the donor of the gift. Righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness must characterize us in our earthly journey. The rich man is condemned not because of his great wealth but because of his luxurious self-indulgence and indifference. Let us share what we have with those around us.
Slow down and enjoy life without forgetting our neighbor or fellowman. This parable is a call for repentance and faith. ” but Abraham replied, “They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them. He said, Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.” We should not look for miracle in order to believe in God. Let us listen to Moses and to the prophets. The prophets symbolize the Word of God and Moses symbolizes those who proclaim the Word of God. Before it has been later, let us listen to the Word of God proclaims by the man of God. The Lord be with you.
Fr Christophe Ndiwe Chiza, sx.
REFLECTION ON THE GOSPEL READING OF 26th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C
THE RICH MAN AND THE POOR LAZARUS
1st Reading Amos 6: 1a, 4-7; 2nd Reading 1Timothy 6: 11-16; Gospel Reading Luke 16: 19-31
In this 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time, the evangelist Luke returns to the subject of wealth. Last Sunday we heard about the parable of the dishonest steward. What catches the attention of Jesus in this parable is not the manager’s dishonesty, but his shrewdness in providing for his future. On this 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Liturgy places before us the parable of the poor Lazarus, sitting at the closed door of the rich man. There is no pity, no acceptance for the real problem of the poor man.
This parable is the only one in which Jesus gave a name to one of the characters. And it is a faithful mirror which displays not only the situation of the society at the time of Jesus, but also our society of the 21st century. The parable points out the indifference which dominates our modern society. In the parable there are three persons: the poor man, Lazarus (God’s help), the rich man and Father Abraham. The poor man has a name but does not speak. He hardly exists and his only friends are the little dogs which lick his wounds. It is very shameful and sad for us human being. The poor are getting poorer and the rich are getting richer. The human solidarity and charity are questionable. We have forgotten our common origin. But where is the world going?
Going back to the parable, we notice that the rich man does not have a name but speaks always and insists. Indeed, in our modern society the poor does not have nothing to say. The poor lives in silence and dies in silence. Through this parable, whom do we most feel sorry for? Is it Lazarus in the beginning of the story or the rich man in the middle and the end of the parable? Let us keep in mind that, no condition is permanent. And let us not forget that the glory and wealth of this world will pass away. Indeed, nothing is permanent. The parable reminds us that there is life after death. We should not be focused on the World; focus on the love of neighbor and the love of God. Let us fight against poverty and social injustice. Let us open the closed door of our indifference and enter into contact with the poor, the marginalized and the excluded.
In the second reading, Saint Paul calls a believer a “Man of God.” “But you, man of God, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.” We are called to be people of God and not people of the World. The world has been created by God. Let us not be so much attached to the gift and forget about the donor of the gift. Righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness must characterize us in our earthly journey. The rich man is condemned not because of his great wealth but because of his luxurious self-indulgence and indifference. Let us share what we have with those around us.
Slow down and enjoy life without forgetting our neighbor or fellowman. This parable is a call for repentance and faith. ” but Abraham replied, “They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them. He said, Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.” We should not look for miracle in order to believe in God. Let us listen to Moses and to the prophets. The prophets symbolize the Word of God and Moses symbolizes those who proclaim the Word of God. Before it has been later, let us listen to the Word of God proclaims by the man of God. The Lord be with you.
Fr Christophe Ndiwe Chiza, sx.