26 Sunday C

Amos the prophet speaks out about the gap between the rich and the poor. The rich are taking comfort in the wealth while in reality the world is in chaos around them. When Israel is finally taken into exile, it is the wealthy who are taken and the poor are left behind. The irony is that which they thought would be their security was the reason for their downfall.

Jesus echoes the experience in the story of Lazarus and the rich man. We should note that the rich man knows Lazarus by name but still does nothing for him. The point of the story is that everyone knows God expects us to take care of our neighbor. Riches are blessing from God that should be used to care for others.

St. Paul instructs Timothy about the kind of character that a “Man of God”, a disciple of Jesus, should exhibit in the way they live their life. Integrity is a characteristic of one who knows what is expected and strives to fulfill it for the right reason, the love of God.

25th Sunday C

Amos 8:4-7. Amos was a strong advocate for social justice. Here business practices of the time are contrasted with God's demands of Justice for the Poor.

1 Tim 2:1-8. Paul guides Timothy in the proper management of the community. A leader must persevere in prayer.

Luke 16:1-13. Jesus directs a parable to the religious leaders who have mismanaged their role in the community. The tone is on social justice: care for the less fortunate.

Stewardship demands proper use of God's gifts. All of us are responsible. We are our brother's keeper.

24th Sunday C

Here's a new name for a familiar story: The Lost Son. The parable of the prodigal son and loving father follows two parables of "loss": The lost sheep and the lost coin. Like both of them, that which was lost is found.

We rarely talk about the elder son beyond his lack of understanding for his brother and his father. He clearly represents an attitude that Jesus condemned in the Pharisees. It is an attitude that we should watch out for. It is easy to resent someone else's good fortune, especially if it seems undeserved or we think we are more deserving. It can be difficult to rejoice with another's good fortune.

24th Sunday C

Paul writing to Timothy speaks of his sinfulness and the mercy God has shown him. Paul teaches us that our sins make us aware of our need for God. If we deceive ourselves about our sins, we don't recognize what God has to offer us.

We often think the saints had it altogether, but they grew in their awareness of God's mercy as they recognized their sins.

24th Sunday C

In the Exodus reading we see the power of intercessory prayer. It is fair to say that God is ready to give the Israelites what they deserve for the actions. As sinners, all of us should be aware of what we deserve. But God is merciful. At the intercession of Moses, he spares the people.

Notice God offers Moses a promise of blessing and is willing to spare him from the wrath he is prepared to pour out on the Israelites. Moses does not think of himself, but of the people. His act of love for the people touches God's heart.

Moses must have been offended by the behavior of the people, yet he finds forgiveness in his heart. Forgiveness and mercy make powerful aids to our prayers of intercessions.

23 Sunday C

The wisdom of God is related to human conduct. The application of total dedication is the central idea. It certainly requires an act of faith to set priorities regarding family and possessions. Any change in priorities will require sacrifice and some degree of hardship.

Wisdom is knowing the benefit the sacrifice will bring.

23 Sunday C

The Book of Wisdom was written in the first century BC in Greek. It is not part of the Hebrew Bible and not included by the Reformers in their version of the Bible. The Catholic Church accepts it as inspired and part of the canon of scripture.

The question we must reflect upon is "Who can know the plan of God"? The human mind can not conceive the mystery of God and his workings. I often reflect upon decisions made by bishops. I would not have always decided as they did, but they often have more information available to them than I do. If I am missing a key piece of knowledge, my decision will be flawed by that. Who can understand what God understands?

Wisdom is found in humility, knowing our limitations. Wisdom is found in prayerful pursuit of God where we allow him to reveal himself to us.

23rd Sunday C

The Cost of Discipleship
In Luke’s Gospel, wisdom is presented as total commitment to discipleship regardless of the cost. Half measures will not do. These are bold claims regarding discipleship. Jesus uses strong language to focus on the importance of commitment.

The Book of Wisdom points us to the wisdom of God as a way of life. We have difficulties in deciphering earthly realities. The burdens of life weigh heavily upon us and keep us from seeing the path God calls us to follow.

Stewardship is a disciple’s response to God. It is about more than time, talent, and treasure. It involves taking responsibility for advancing God’s plan. Correctly and fully understood, Christian Stewardship holds every individual accountable to God for personal care of the universe. “At the time of judgment, God will have the right to ask: ‘What did you do with my world?’”

Every disciple is personally responsible to God for the care of the universe.