Fr. Aidan Writes:
In today’s readings, we are given two very clear pictures of what will happen to those who have no care for, and exploit, the poor. In the first reading, Amos, the great prophet of social justice, excoriates the leaders and uncaring rich of his time for their self-centered lifestyles. He says they will be the first to be sent into exile. In Old Testament speak, to be in exile means to be cut off from all that is holy and promised; thus cut off from God. It was earthly hell. In the Gospel, the parable about the poor man Lazarus (not the same Lazarus, brother of Martha and Mary) has him being taken up into the bosom of Abraham, an image of heaven tak- en from the Old Testament. The text is almost comical when it contrasts the death of the rich man; he was simply buried. No fanfare, no nothing!
Sometimes the man is given the name Dives, but this is not in the text and there is a reason for there being no name. This man’s very identity is lost to history, whereas the poor man’s name has lived on for 2000 years and will live for eternity.
We witnessed HM Queen Elizabeth’s funeral; a great and good person who dedicated her life, and lived her vow, to her people. She will surely get her heavenly reward. But what of all our leaders and multi-millionaires today? Do they really have a concern for the poor and needy? Are the poor treated with ignorance or contempt? Are they used to bolster positions of power? This gospel hits true today.
May God bless you and your families,
Fr. Aidan Peter CJ
May God bless you, your families, and the week ahead,
Fr Aidan Peter