September 28, 2025・26th Sunday in Ordinary Time ( C )

Amos 6.1a, 4-7・Psalm 146. 6c+7, 8ac+9bc・1 Timothy 6.11-16・ Luke 16.19-31

Considering all what our readings today say, we must really be very thankful for the guidance that the Word of God (sets of readings every Sunday, and every day) bring to us. Yes, my dear brothers and sisters, for each one of us regardless of our societal richness or insufficiencies, personal history including family/home orientation, and present environment we are in, the Word of God serves us our nourishment (daily medicine so to say), in becoming better Christians, better men and women of God.

Let us take the first point for our reflection from our first reading today. We are being advised to refrain from living in luxury, a way of life that involves great expense of material things including money regardless on how one is able to acquire. Maybe one may even say that there is nothing wrong specially when living comfortably even to its extreme is anyway out of personal hard work and own sweat without hurting anyone. With many things we have in mind regarding this matter, the first reading invites us to re-examine our way life esp. on how we deal on wealth of the earth and on the indifference of many people who live a luxurious life to the present situation of the poor, the helpless and marginalized. Christian living is about being prudent and more considerate. While Christian life is a life of thanksgiving and celebrations, may it not be extreme and extravagant.

Our second reading today mentions about what are the characteristics of being a man of God (men and women of God). A man of God must pursue righteousness, devotion, patience and gentleness. All these are in the context of our Christian faith, so it is basic and natural to identify ourselves, our values, our way of thinking, and daily living to Christ, lover of the poor.   

We have the narration of a parable contrasting a rich man's luxurious life with that of Lazarus, a destitute man.  Christian living is being identified with the life of Lazarus. We are being advised to live a life of simplicity, identifying our life with our poor brothers and sisters. On the other hand, we can also find a continuing story about a rich man`s plea as this same rich man realizes the consequences of living a lavish life (extreme comfort) and indifference. The rich man asked to send warning for his brothers in his father`s house so that they (the rich man`s 5 brothers) may not suffer the consequences of the similar way of life he had. The rich man`s plea was not granted to him.   

As we end our reflection today, may we acknowledge the guidance of the Holy Spirit here and now. Our guide to becoming better Christian is not something we do not know yet and is not something we still need to look for somewhere. Let us not be afraid to stop for a while, and be truly quite, truly listen and understand how to be a men and women of God.  And finally live as authentic men and women of God.