Amos 6:1, 4-7, 1 Timothy 6:11-16, Psalm 146:7-10, Luke 16:19-31

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Amos 6:1, 4-7, 1 Timothy 6:11-16, Psalm 146:7-10, Luke 16:19-31

 Amos 6:1, 4-7

My Beloved, as in the time of Amos, every age has its share of the rich, the powerful and the worldly who care not a whit about anyone but themselves.  Their ears are closed to the cries of those in pain, the whimpering sounds of those wallowing in poverty and wretchedness does not reach their ears because of the manic sounds of their merry making as they worship at the idol of self.

Today we not only have individuals but nations and continents that fit this description. There is no one to hear the cry of the poor who are trampled on each day with perfect equanimity by the sleek, fat, pampered of this world.

1 Timothy 6:11-16

Beloved, in these verses St. Paul reminds us of how those who belong solely to You ought to live.  Although in the world, we ought not to be of it.  Our whole life must be one of striving to be all that You call us to be  We are not alone in our struggle, not only do You pour grace into our hearts, not only have You led by example, You give us Your own Holy Spirit to dwell in us.  All we need do is give Him control of our lives, be docile under His guidance and we will dwell always in Your Holy Presence. 

We can fight the good fight and win the race with the help that You provide each day through prayer and the worthy reception of the Sacraments.

Psalm 146:7-10

Praise the Lord my soul.  As long as today lasts, praise Him for He is worthy of praise.  The Lord is a God of justice the poor, the oppressed, the widow, the orphan, the victim of violence and terror will find that God stoops low from the heavens and hears their cries even if that cry is soundless or but a whimper.  He sees every tear.  He is a God of mercy to those who are merciful, compassionate to those who show compassion, but to those who disobey His law of love He is a God of terrible justice.

The Lord is a generous Giver.  To all He gives with open hand.  He fulfills every desire.  With Him at our side we will want for nothing.

Luke 16:19-31

In his lifetime there was a chasm of indifference that lay between the rich man and Lazarus the beggar who lay at his gate although Lazarus saw him dining on rich food, dressed in fine clothes and travelling in and out through the gates of his mansion. The poor man longed for the leftovers that were thrown to the dogs but even these scraps which would have kept him alive were denied to him.

The rich man’s colossal indifference to the man who lay at his gate in utter poverty and degradation simply never came into his view and this was his downfall.  The same was true of the rest of his family.  When the time arrived for the rich man to pay the price and when the scales of justice were measured against him only then did he see the price that he had to pay for his callousness.  The same chasm his indifference had created between himself and Lazarus now also lay between him and heaven.  He has the gall ask that the same Lazarus who never came into the periphery of his vision in life now be sent to warn his brothers, beggars belief.

Abraham rightly reminds him that God has given us all we need for our salvation.  If the Resurrection cannot convince us that God is alive nothing ever will.