Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
What was the rich man’s sin? While Jesus says that “at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus,” He does not say that the rich man is personally responsible for Lazarus’ poverty. Nor is there any suggest on that the rich man abused Lazarus. Why then, does he end up “in Hades, where he was being tormented”?
Given the layout of an ancient city, there was no way that the rich man could get into his house each day without just about walking over Lazarus. He would literally have to step over the man every me he entered or exited his house. Yet the rich man was so oblivious to Lazarus‘ difficulty that he did even less to ease his burdens than the stray dog’s who licked his sores. This is an awful example of a “sin of omission” – not doing something that one should have done.
This parable draws a vivid picture of the haves and the have nots of this world, and promises a reversal of fortunes in the next. It ends on a tragic note: there are those who are headed for destruct on because they enjoy luxuries while others starve, and not even a person coming back from the dead will be able to shake their indifference and complacency.
Jesus proposes this rich man as an example of what we are not to do with our money: spend it for our own pleasures, while others want for necessies. It also raises the ques on: Are we also nearsighted when it comes to the needs and suffering of others? Do we really hear and heed Jesus’ exhortation on to give alms (help the needy) in order to lay up treasure in Heaven. This is a challenging question on for us to think about.
God Bless.
-Monsignor Powell
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jesus is eager to “set the earth on fire” – not the fiery punishment spoken of by John the Baptist, but the fire of the Holy Spirit. Yet the mission of Jesus and the consequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit will result in division within families, as each member chooses whether to accept or reject Jesus. The choice has eternal consequences, but some people fail to grasp its importance. They perceive what the weather is going to be like, but do not perceive that Jesus is establishing the reign of God.
This section of Chapter 12 is not easy to interpret and is best understood in light of what we read elsewhere in the gospels. Jesus longs to “set the earth on fire”, to purify it Jesus faces a baptism of suffering and he will prove to be a point of
division as well as a source of peace.
The coming of the kingdom was the top concern of our Lord. He is impatient to begin this fire which is a symbol both of the Holy Spirit and for divine judgement.
Jesus knew that in order to accomplish His Mission He would have to suffer, even die, but none the less He was impatient for it to happen – baptism here means fire.
Jesus is resolutely headed toward torture and death. Gods’ rule is becoming present in Jesus. The question is : How will we respond? Those who choose for Jesus will find themselves divided from those who choose against Him.
God Bless,
Monsignor Powell