26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
28th September 2025
Lectionary Readings: Amos 6:1a. 4-7; Psalm 147:7-10;1Tim 6:11-16; Luke 16:19-31
The readings of today are very rich, challenging and timely for our world today. Jesus sets before us a multi- layered parable. Some scholars question if this is a parable since the scripture writers usually began with ‘Then Jesus told a parable.’ However, that is not the case here so, perhaps this was a lived experience.
The scene opens with a rich man who is given no name but we are told he wore fine clothes and ate scrumptiously. He was very aware of his needs and desires and how to obtain satisfaction. He was self -absorbed, caring little for others especially, of the beggar named Lazarus who sat at his gate. He viewed him as an obstacle to his pursuit of pleasure and happiness. This beggar served only as a reminder that there is suffering in the world. The rich man was preoccupied; seeing no need to help him.
Lazarus, on the other hand was homeless, diseased, starving and helpless. He longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table. (Lk 16:21) Lazarus, whose name meant “God is my help” had placed his trust in God. Later both men died and Lazarus received eternal life while the rich man was in everlasting torment. Did he ever hear Lazarus cry, “Have mercy on me” but now in his extreme suffering he asks for relief. He wants Lazarus to serve him and to warn his brothers to change their ways.
What can we learn from this episode? It certainly is not a condemnation of either riches or poverty. It instead focuses on many themes – the consequences of earthly choices, the reality of an afterlife, the importance of compassion and of living according to God’s teaching.
It is revealing that the rich man had no contrition or desire to make amends. He had given no help to Lazarus even though he had the capacity to do so. Had he not been taught the love of God and love of neighbor as we read in Lev. 19? We pray that he and we are capable of seeing the enormity and ugliness of all idolatry – false gods which we worship – be they power, status, consumption, wealth, identity, etc. What do we have that we have not been given?
In 1Tim18-19, we have the instruction, “They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, ready to share thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future.”
For Reflection and Discussion: 1. Who is Lazarus in your life? How can we leave our comfort zone and give attention and care to a person in need?
This week’s Sunday Liturgy Commentary was prepared by
Rita Kammermayer, NDS, Jerusalem – Israel, Alumna: Bat Kol 2001
[Copyright © 2025]
Comments are closed