26th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Call to worship
Those who hear and heed the Gospel cannot neglect or ignore the poor. They do not close their doors or borders. They do not become complacent with their wealth. Prophets have asked us to share for ages. When will the world listen?
- To the point: The rich man in the gospel can neither see nor hear: he does not see Lazarus in need at his door; he does not listen to Moses and the prophets who guide him in right ways. The rich man is not in “the netherworld, where he was in torment” simply because of the good he received during his lifetime, but because his self-contained, self-satisfied lifestyle was not faithful to the teaching and practice of the Mosaic covenant. We who live today have even a further revelation beyond Moses and the prophets: we are to hear and put into practice the truth of the Gospel affirmed by Jesus who rose from the dead. By so doing, we choose now on which side of the chasm we will be in the next life.
- Connecting the Gospel (Luke 16: 19-31) to the first reading: The rich man’s problem is not his wealth but his complacency. Like the “complacent in Zion”, the rich man is unconcerned for Lazarus because he has not listened well to “Moses and the prophets” nor acting according to their dictates to be concerned for one’s neighbor.
- Connecting the Gospel to experience: We tend not to listen to those who challenge us to hear the truth about ourselves and how we should live. But we have also learned that when we take to heart the challenge to listen, we grow toward fullness of life.
Centering prayers
The Gospel
(Luke 16: 19-31)
And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,
who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps
that fell from the rich man’s table.
Oh Lord, help us to look for Lazarus in our daily lives.
Don’t let us step over him or look the other way
in our busyness. Stop us from rolling the
window up when he asks for money.
Rouse us to actions that change the customs
that leave your friends lying somewhere
eaten up by sores and hunger,
and never, ever let us remove Lazarus from his children.
Point out to us what needs fixing,
and move us with your love
to help mend the things we can.
The First Reading
(Amos 6: 1a, 4-7)
They drink wine from bowls and anoint themselves with the best oils.
Dear Lord, don’t let us lounge
in comfort on our couches,
anointing ourselves with the best oils,
feasting and taking great care of our needs.
Please don’t let comfort lure us
where we can’t hear others cry.
The Second Reading
(1 Timothy 6: 11-16)
Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called.
Christ, take hold of us. Direct all we do and say.
Give us patience and a gentle spirit.
Let us recall your words to Pilate
so we may bear witness
to the truth today and every day.
Copyright © 2022, Anne M. Osdieck
Music for reflection