Sunday September 29th, 2019 - 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
We continue this week in the theme of social responsibility and again we are focusing on our attitude toward personal wealth.
Being wealthy is not a sin. Having a nice home, nice clothes, plentiful food and extra special things is not a sin. What is brought into the light is people who have the best of everything and are narrowly focused on themselves and enjoying their wealth but do not care about society.
In every society there are those who have more and those who have less for various reasons. It is not our role to judge people based on their social position in society, be that lofty or lowly. If we have been blessed with good fortune, we are expected to care for those who are less fortunate and in need by sharing our blessings with them. It isn’t important what society itself has to say on this matter, it is critical for us to know what God has to say on this matter. “You have everything, but you don’t care that your nation is being destroyed. But you also will be destroyed. Your enemies will take you first, and all your expensive things and your easy life will be lost!” These are harsh words from our loving God. Wealth coupled with a selfish attitude is what God is referring to in this quote from the prophet Amos.
Selfishness and greed are grave sins against our brothers and sisters. Jesus tells the story of the rich man who wore the best and most expensive clothes and ate the best and most expensive food and Lazarus a very poor man who would sit outside the rich man’s house content with scraps of food from the rich man’s dinner. When Lazarus died, he went to heaven and was embraced by Abraham but when the rich man died he went to hell. The rich man didn’t go to hell for being rich, but for being greedy and selfish.
We must remember: "For everyone to whom much is given, of him shall much be required." -- Luke 12:48
We can help our less fortunate brothers and sisters by bringing a contribution to the food closet at our church each Sunday. Make it your habit to buy and extra of something you buy for your own home, such as soups, sauces, pastas, dried beans, cereal, etc., specifically for the church food closet. We keep a permanent item on our electronic grocery list called “Food for Jesus” so that we do not forget to include that in our shopping cart! Sort through your clothing a couple times a year, especially when the weather is turning cold, and donate gently used clothing, blankets and coats at your church, or a local clothes closet, or other charitable organization that helps the poor. New socks and underwear are always needed all year. When you pass a brother or sister in need on the street hand them a few dollars and wish them a blessing! Do something to share what God has given you in abundance.
The Psalm this week is Praise The Lord My Soul.
Have a blessed week!