Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis
with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk
Twenty-Sixth Sunday of the
Year, C – September 29, 2019.
Readings: Amos 6:1a,4-7;
Responsorial Psalm Ps 146:6c-7,8-9a,9bc-10(R.v.1b);
1 Tim 6:-11-16; Gospel Lk
16:19-31.
Theme: Charity Counts
Introduction
Friends in Christ, the theme of our reflection is: “Charity
Counts.” The subject matter is weaved around the gospel narrative wherein Jesus
presents the parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man. Our liturgy highlights the
fact that charity pays and lack of it “punishes.” Before going into details, it
is crucial to understand what a parable is. We are told that parables are short allegorical stories meant to drive
moral lessons. The Penny Catechism conceives it as “an earthly story with a
heavenly meaning.” Jesus often used parables to stimulate the deepest thoughts
and contemplations of his audience. He avoided using the literal means because
some people in the audience would have claimed he was attacking them and could
resort to violence. We shall highlight the background of the readings in order
to derive the required pastoral application.
Background
and Summary of the Readings
In the first reading (Amos 6:1a,4-7) the Prophet Amos reveals that God would exile the sons
and daughters of Israel who lie on ivory beds, sprawl on divans, dine on lambs
for the flock and fattened veal; invent new instruments for music like David,
drink finest wine and anoint themselves with finest oil but forget the plight
of Joseph. The reading which prefigures the gospel narrative presents a case
for negligence of gentle nations by the chosen people.
The second reading (1 Tim 6:-11-16) provides a proviso
for being saintly and religious. Saint Paul lists faith, love, patience and
gentleness as ingredients for fighting the good faith to the finish. He cites
Christ as an example of one who spoke boldly before Pilate to urge the Christian
to work without fault until the appearing of the Lord, the immortal and
inaccessible light.
The gospel (Lk 16:19-31) presents us with the story of
Lazarus and the Rich Man. It is important to situate the parable in the setting
in which Jesus gave it. In this parable, Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees
who were often notorious for their refusal to deal with him honestly and the
truths he told. While the Jewish nation stands for the Rich Man because of the Covenants
God established with them (Romans 9:4.), Lazarus symbolized the Gentiles - all
those who embrace spiritual poverty. “I
will give you as a light to the nations that my salvation may reach to the end
of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6).
The Jews (the rich man) refused to share their
spiritual wealth with the Gentiles (Lazarus) whom they regarded “dogs” who want
to be satisfied with the spiritual crumbs falling from their masters’ tables.
This is buttressed in the encounter between Jesus and the Canaanite woman. “It
is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.” She
responded accordingly: “Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall
from their masters’ tables” (Matthew 15:26, 27). The Jews had enjoyed “the good
life” while on earth but had done nothing to bless or enrich their neighbours. As
such, no further reward was in sight: “Woe unto you that are rich. For you have
received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full. For you shall hunger” (Luke
6:24, 25).
Pastoral Lessons
1. Heaven and Hell are Real: In this parable, Jesus teaches that heaven and hell
are both real, literal places.
2. Riches Could be
Deceptive: The rich man
was probably carried away by his wealth, contracts, business meetings,
political alignment et al that he neglected the plight of Lazarus who would
have been pleased to feed with the dogs but no one gave him a chance. Indeed,
riches could be deceptive (Mark 4:19).
