HOMILY FOR THE 26TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C
THEME: Jesus does not teach us that owning wealth is bad, God created wealth for us to live better and help those in need.
BY: Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA
HOMILY FOR SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 25 2022
*READINGS OF THE DAY*
Amos 6:1,4-7
1 Timothy 6:11-16
Luke 16:19-31
*LITURGICAL COLOUR*
GREEN
*INTRODUCTION*
Dear brothers and sisters, today we celebrate the 26th Sunday in Ordinary of Year C.
*FROM THE FIRST READING*
In our first reading today, we heard how the prophet Amos called on the people to repent from their sins as almost all of their kings and leaders refused to follow the Lord’s path and led the people deeper and deeper into sin, persecuting and killing the prophets who were sent to them to remind them. The prophet Amos himself suffered persecution and rejection from the king of Israel and from the people who continued to live in their debauchery and wickedness, rejecting the Lord’s path and continuing to marvel at their wicked ways.
*FROM THE SECOND READING*
In our second reading today we are told that, as people dedicated to God, we must aim to be saintly and religious, filled with faith and love, patience and gentleness. We must fight the good fight of the faith and win our self the eternal life to which we were called when we made our profession and spoke up for the truth in front of many witnesses.
We have been given the choice and the knowledge of the consequences of each of our actions and our failures to act all the same, and we should heed these carefully.
*FROM THE GOSPEL READING*
My dear brothers and sisters, today’s gospel tells us about the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. This rich had everything at his disposal. He lived luxuriously. He feasted everyday inviting his friends while he did not mind Lazarus, the beggar who longed to eat the left over that fell from the rich man’s table, and even did not try to invite Lazarus into his banquet.
The Gospel reading continues to say that, when both of them died, Lazarus went to heaven, and the rich man went to hell. Many questions will come our heards, does it mean the poor will go to heaven and the rich to hell? What were the sins of the rich man?
*WHAT IS THE SIN THAT THE RICH MAN COMMITTED?*
The rich man committed what we call in our catholic catechism, the sin of omission, meaning not doing what we are suppose to do as faithful christians. He omitted and failed to recognize his neighbor in need. We too today easily commit these sins by pretending that we do not see our brothers and sisters suffering. Today we have so many Lazarus that are roaming around our houses, our communities, our places of work and even our parishes.
*WHAT IS IT THAT JESUS CHRIST IS TALKING ABOUT IN THE PARABLE OF TODAY?*
Jesus does not teach us that owning a wealth is bad so we have to disregard it. God creates this wealth, therefore, this is good. But let us see to it that if we have plenty of wealth, it means, God blesses us, no it is not that way. Rather, God is just so merciful to us and to you. He trusts you, those who have plenty of wealth to help uplift the situation of the poor.
*CONCLUSION*
We have had a long homily today, this is because we are living in a very selfish world. The sins of the rich man could be our sins too if we will not lift a finger to help all the Lazarus around us. Sometimes we become blind and close our eyes on the needs of others.
I wish you all a blessed Sunday. God bless you!