First Reading Amos 6:1,4-7
God will judge the complacency of the people and their leaders.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 146:7-10
Happy are those who find solace in God, the help of the poor.
Second Reading 1 Timothy 6:11-16
Paul exhorts Timothy to stay faithful to God in all things.
Gospel Reading
Luke 16:19-31
The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus has left Bible readers wondering why the rich man had to go to hell. We are not told he acquired his wealth by foul means or that he was responsible for the poverty and misery of Lazarus or that he committed any crime or evil deed. He went to hell not for the things he did but for the things he didn't do. We often think that we sin by doing what we are not supposed to do -by thought, word and deed (i.e. the sin of commission). Today’s parable reminds us that the sin of omission can land someone in hell. The poor man Lazarus was lying at his gate. And the rich man simply couldn't care less. Of course he did nothing against Lazarus. But he has failed to do a good deed, failed to reach out and share a little of his blessings with someone in need. His sin is that of omission, and for that he was going to roast in hell.
Another problem we have with this parable is why Lazarus went to heaven. This is the only parable of Jesus where the character in the story has a name. So the name must be significant for interpreting the parable. The name “Lazarus” means “God is my help.” Lazarus, therefore, is not just a poor man, but a poor man who believes and trusts in God, which opens the gates of heaven to him.
The good news of this parable is this: If you feel like a Lazarus right now, battered by sickness, poverty and pain, forgotten by society and by those whom God has blessed in this life, continue believing and trusting in God knowing that it will be well with your soul in the end. If you see yourself as one of those blessed by God with the good things of life, open your door and see. Probably there is a Lazarus lying at your gates and you have not taken notice.
These readings remind us that the law of love (see John 15:12; Romans 13:8) means that each of us in some way will be judged by the mercy we show to the poor. As the rich man learns in the parable of Lazarus - the distance between ourselves and God in the next life may be the distance we put between ourselves and the poor in this life (see Matthew 25:31-46; James 2:8,14-17).
July 4 - Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time year B
June 27 - Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
June 20 - Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B
June 13 - Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B
June 6 - The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Cycle B
May 30 - Feast of Holy Trinity
May 23 - Pentecost Sunday, Cycle B
May 17 - The Ascension of the Lord, Cycle B
May 10 - Sixth Sunday of Easter, Cycle B
May 2 - Fifth Sunday of Easter, Cycle B
April 25 - Fourth Sunday of Easter, Cycle B
April 18 - Third Sunday of Easter, Cycle B
April 11 - Second Sunday of Easter, Cycle B (or Sunday of Divine Mercy)
April 4 - Easter Sunday : Experiencing Easter Everyday
April 2 : Good Friday : By His Wounds We Have Healed.
April 1 : Holy Thursday : The Day of Love
March 28 - Passion Sunday : Marching with Jesus
March 21- Fifth Sunday in Lent Year B :
March 14 - Fourth Sunday of Lent :
March 7 - Third Sunday of Lent Year B
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Cast The Word
Let Me Be Frank | Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Podcast | Diocese of Bridgeport, CT
The Kingdom Power Fellowship Podcast
The Bible Recap
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)