Sensitivity to the need of the Poor

Sensitivity to the need of the Poor

By REV. FR. SAMUEL FREDERICK

Amos 6:1.4-7, 1 Tim. 6:11-16, Lk. 6:11-16. On this Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Year C, the Church calls us to be just and sensitive to the needs of the poor. In today's first reading, Prophet Amos continues his treaty against the rich and influential of the society who oppress the weak and the poor. He pronounces God’s judgment on those who derive joy and comfort from the miseries of the poor and the weak. The seeming comfort of the 'strong' will disappear as snow disappears because there shall be reversal of fortune. In order words, their time would soon be up and the table will be over turn. Today’s Gospel is unique in the sense that it touches a very important aspect of our Christian life: sensitivity to the needs of the poor. The drama of the parable of the rich man and Lazarus swings upon the notion of a great reversal that is to take place.

We have heard about such a reversal earlier in Mary’s Magnificat (1:51-53), where the "Lord casts the mighty from their thrones and raises the lowly. He fills the starving with good things, sends the rich away empty," and in the Beatitudes (6:20-26), where "the meek, shall possess the earth." Within the story itself the reversal takes place when both characters, the rich man and the poor beggar, Lazarus, died. The rich man is carted off to Hades, the poor man is gently conveyed to Abraham’s bosom. These “destinations” reflect conventional imagery of the afterlife existent at the time, which the parable presupposes. Therefore, we need to pay attention to the words of St Paul in the second reading: As a man dedicated to God, we must work for it with faith, patience, love, meekness, reverence for God and others. Only those who show mercy to the poor, the weak and the just would be accepted into the bosom of Abraham.

May the Lord in His mercy help us in our vocation to care for the poor and help us to look for happiness in God alone! Amen!! Good morning and Happy Sunday!!!

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