Homily Twenty-sixth Sunday Year C Are we complacent to the needs of others?
Homily:
Twenty-sixth Sunday Year C
Reading
1: We read from the prophet Amos last Sunday. He was called by God to be his prophetic
voice to the northern kingdom of Israel, whose rulers and people had broken
their covenant with God. He was sent to identify their sinful life and to warn
them of the dire consequences, if they did not repent and be renewed in their
relationship with God.
Today,
we hear from Amos again. What is their sin? Complacency, apathy and insensitivity
to the dire needs of others. How has the world repeated that scenario over the
centuries! The French Revolution and the socialist revolution in Russia and to
a small extent our own American Revolution.
But
the question we are posed with is to what extent are we insensitive to the
plight of others here in our own land and around the world? Have we mentally
and emotionally isolated ourselves from these situations to the extent we seem
to ignore them? Who are the prophets of today, calling us to hear the Word of
God and to respond to the needs of the situation of others as God requires?
Gospel:
The irony in the Gospel is that the rich man had so isolated himself from the
reality of the poor man so that he didn’t have to deal with it. But in so doing
he isolated himself from the bosom of Abraham, the root of his heritage. This
is indicated by the chasm between the two.
Recognizing
his dire strait, the rich man tried to intercede for his brothers. But he is
told even a miraculous intervention will not make a difference, if one’s heart
is closed and hardened like his.
The
case in point. The spiritual leaders of Israel at the time were so hardened
against Jesus. In spite of the prophets who had spoken God’s word to them about
the coming Messiah, they still refused to accept Jesus or his message of
salvation. This in spite of familiarity with the Word of God and witnessing the
many signs and wonders he performed.
In
fact, Jesus concludes that even when they will be made aware of his own
resurrection, they still will refused to believe.
Do
we sometimes isolate ourselves from the truths of reality for fear that it may
call us to make a radical change in our lives? Do I prefer to see things through
my colored lens and comfort zone rather than through the eyes of God? Am I so overwhelmed
by the enormity of the task that I give up, accepting there is nothing I can
do?
The
Word of God is calling us to become the man or woman of God, doing what I can
and must to be faithful to God. When I do, then my witness may become a catalyst
and an example for others. My standard of measurement is to be God’s commands
not what is commonly acceptable by society or what would make me fit into the
crowd. Isolation and non-involvement are not the answers. Renewal and pressing
on is what God desires, even if it means rejection by others.
Reading
2: What is the attitude God desires and expects of us, if we claim to be his?
To be truly a man or woman of God! Have we consciously embraced and lived out
of this identity? If we have not, the rest of what St. Paul doesn’t matter. But
if we are trying to become more fully alive in Christ, then what Paul says
becomes our marching orders.
“Seek
after integrity, piety, faith, love, steadfastness and a gentle spirit.” Since
we have made a profession of faith, our oath of allegiance to God, a statement
of commitment, then our life-style should be so reflective.
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