The Least, the Last, and the Lost

   

  Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

25 September 2022 

 

First Reading: Am 6:1a, 4-7

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 146:7, 8-9, 9-10

Second Reading: 1 Tm 6:11-16

Gospel: Lk 16:19-31

 

Reflection

By: Gharri Tulabut

 

This is our usual prayer after class:

“Thank You Father for today’s discussion.” Then I add a bit about the topic for the day and continue with, “May everything that we learn and do in here and in our daily lives bear fruits that glorifies You.” And then we close the prayer with a Glory Be.

But in occasions when our topic is about finances, investing, or economics, I surprise my students with how I start the prayer. And it goes… 

“Lord make us rich!” Then I ask for an Amen from them. “Amen?” Half of the class would respond. Half remains shocked with the prayer. While they’re still dumbfounded with the bold prayer, I would continue and close it with, “But Lord, always remind us of the true purpose of wealth, and that is to love the people that you have entrusted us to love, esp. your favorites—the least, the last, and the lost.”

Ask me what I have done so far for the least, the last, and the lost—the likes of Lazarus in our Gospel reading for today. I will probably swallow something and grope for an answer. Or I’ll probably reason out, I am not yet rich.

I know, I don’t need to reach my standard of being rich before I start giving to the poor. Well, I was able to start that in tithing despite just barely making both ends meet, esp. during the pandemic. And thanks to this self-examen/reflection/realization, I think I will slowly start to make that bold prayer a reality. And my why’s for wanting to reach my standard for wealth remains the same, that is to love the people I was entrusted to love, esp. God’s favorites.

Prayer

Father, make me rich! Amen! But Lord always remind me of the true purpose of wealth, and that is to love the people that you have entrusted me to love, esp. your favorites—the least, the last, and the lost. And while I’m not there yet, I trust Your divine providence that I can slowly start to make this prayer a reality. Your Divine Grace, I implore, in Jesus Name, Amen!