First Reading: Amos 6:1, 4-7
Disaster
for those so comfortable in Zion and for those so confident on the hill of
Samaria, the notables of this first of nations, those to whom the House of
Israel has recourse! Lying on ivory beds and sprawling on their divans, they
dine on lambs from the flock, and stall-fattened veal; they bawl to the sound
of the lyre and, like David, they invent musical instruments; they drink wine
by the bowlful, and lard themselves with the finest oils, but for the ruin of
Joseph they care nothing. That is why they will now go into captivity, heading
the column of captives. The sprawlers' revelry is over.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 146:7,
8-9, 9-10
Second Reading: 1Timothy 6:11-16
But,
as someone dedicated to God, avoid all that. You must aim to be upright and
religious, filled with faith and love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the
good fight of faith and win the eternal life to which you were called and for
which you made your noble profession of faith before many witnesses.
Now,
before God, the source of all life, and before Jesus Christ, who witnessed to
his noble profession of faith before Pontius Pilate, I charge you to do all
that you have been told, with no faults or failures, until the appearing of our
Lord Jesus Christ, who at the due time will be revealed by God, the blessed and
only Ruler of all, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, who alone is
immortal, whose home is in inaccessible light, whom no human being has seen or
is able to see: to him be honour and everlasting power. Amen.
Gospel: Luke 16:19-31
'There was a
rich man who used to dress in purple and fine linen and feast magnificently
every day. And at his gate there used to lie a poor man called Lazarus, covered
with sores, who longed to fill himself with what fell from the rich man's
table. Even dogs came and licked his sores. Now it happened that the poor man
died and was carried away by the angels into Abraham's embrace. The rich man
also died and was buried.
'In his torment in Hades he looked up and saw
Abraham a long way off with Lazarus in his embrace. So he cried out,
"Father Abraham, pity me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in
water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in these flames."
Abraham said,
"My son, remember that during your life you had your fill of good things,
just as Lazarus his fill of bad. Now he is being comforted here while you are
in agony. But that is not all: between us and you a great gulf has been fixed,
to prevent those who want to cross from our side to yours or from your side to
ours."
'So he said, "Father, I beg you then to
send Lazarus to my father's house, since I have five brothers, to give them
warning so that they do not come to this place of torment too." Abraham
said, "They have Moses and the prophets, let them listen to them."
The rich man
replied, "Ah no, father Abraham, but if someone comes to them from the
dead, they will repent." Then Abraham said to him, "If they will not
listen either to Moses or to the prophets, they will not be convinced even if
someone should rise from the dead."
Reflection:
by Theresa Ballo
Five years ago, my High School friends agreed that our Christmas gathering will be held at Buffet 101 along SM Mall of Asia. I was a bit hesitant then because for me the cost is expensive for just one meal nonetheless for the sake of experience and fellowship I joined. Day came; I was excited to see the grand selection of food they offer, from starters, soup, main viands and my most-awaited part… desserts. The food that was available went beyond my expectations. I just felt so bloated after dinner. Then on my way home, passing by Pasay and waiting for the LRT train, I had an AHA moment. I saw beyond the street children singing Christmas carols from one jeepney to another, the beggar along the stairs of LRT station asking for alms, the old man eating thrown leftovers beside the pile of garbage. For some unexplainable reason, I felt guilty for eating too much on that one evening meal.
The parable of Lazarus and the rich man remains to be a story of contrasts – wealth and poverty, heaven and hell, compassion and indifference. The first scene portrays the contrast of a rich man and Lazarus. The second scene described the reversal of their conditions in the afterlife and the third act depicts the rich man’s request for a sign so that those who are still living can avoid his torment. Despite Lazarus’ life of suffering and poverty, he did not lose hope in God. His eyes were focused on the treasure stored up for himin heaven. He may be starving to death yet he never resort to stealing and believe in a God that provides.
There was one common thing among the children who were singing, the beggar asking for alms and the old man, all of them were smiling. Their eyes may not speak the same because of maybe the hunger and suffering they feel, yet they still manage to smile. There I realized how blessed I am – that I always have something to give and to share.
The moment I am awake, I’m blessed. Others may have lost their breath while sleeping. The moment I feel so stressed on a pile of work, I’m blessed. Others may have searching for jobs from dawn until dusk. The moment I feel depressed over a failure, I’m blessed. Other may have been stuck on a mistake.
The moment I am complaining over a blunt taste of food, I’m blessed. Others may have totally nothing to eat. The moment I whine having overly-indulge parents, I’m blessed. Orphans would have wished they still have their parents with them. I am a child of God, created in His image and likeness, thus like Jesus, there’s so much I can give no matter how simple or small it is.
Our readings for today are not mainly about sharing the material possessions we have. It is still about personal relationships. In most occasions, what matters in other people is not what we do but how we made them feel. Let’s make our neighbors feel worthy and significant. As we help others, let it be something that sustains. Be involved rather than mainly giving of alms. Reaching out to others develops our potential to enrich others as we are enriched in the process. Truly, it is in giving that we receive. Next time, when you look at a person, any person, remember that he or she has a story. The rich man’s punishment is for the neglect of Lazarus. Still, that doesn’t mean we should give out of guilt, give unwisely or give to whoever cries the loudest. Instead, we are to give out of the love of God within us. Not selfishly to ease our personal guilt but selflessly to care for someone else’s need.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for all your blessings. Give me a heart for the poor and suffering. Please let me love the poor as Jesus loved them. Grant in me a compassionate eyes and a courageous heart not to leave any person without making them happier. Amen
