“Though our Lord Jesus Christ was rich, he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.” – 2 Cor 8:9

 

Looking at the calendar today, there are a couple of things to take under consideration.  One, it is three months until Christmas and second, the Universal Church is remembering St Cleopas.  St Cleopas was one of the two disciples walking away from Jerusalem on Easter Sunday on the road to Emmaus with an unknown disciple.  Not only were they leaving the place where God resided in the Temple, but they could not recognize Jesus as He approached them and while He was with them until the breaking of the Bread.

In today’s Gospel, we have another unidentified character.  The rich man, while without a name, finds himself living a life that the Prophet Amos warned about in the First Reading, being complacent or marked by self-satisfaction.  He was complacent, and was unaware of his deficiencies of Faith, Hope, and Love of God.  Because of this, he not only isolated himself from the community but found that the community was isolating themselves from him.  The rich man was just sure of himself and was overly content at that, even to the point of being smug.

The rich man can’t help himself as even when experiencing the pains of the netherworld, he still tried to order Lazarus around while talking to Abraham. The rich man treated the beggar with contempt and indifference, until he found his fortunes reversed at the end of his life! In God's economy, those who hold on possessively to what they have, lose it all in the end, while those who share generously receive back many times more than they gave away. 

Lazarus, despite being a poor man on the outside looking in, had Hope in God and His Merciful help.  The name Lazarus means God is my help. Despite a life of misfortune and suffering, Lazarus did not lose hope in God. His eyes were set on a treasure stored up for him in Heaven. The rich man, however, could not see beyond his material wealth and possessions. He not only had everything he needed, he also selfishly spent all he had on himself. The unknown rich manwas too absorbed in what he possessed to notice the needs of those around him. He lost sight of God and the treasure of Heaven because he was preoccupied with seeking happiness in material things. He sought and served wealth rather than God. In the end the rich man became a beggar! 

As we listen to the Word of God today, who do we see ourselves as, the known or the unknown?The named are part of the community, the Body of Christ.  The unknown, well they are only about themselves and do not recognize who Jesus is and seem to live that way.  Do we know the Joy and Freedom of possessing God as our true and lasting treasure?  If we put our Hope and security in the Kingdom of Heaven, then we will not be disappointed.  This is why St Paul said today, “pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Compete well for the Faith.”  (1TM 6: 11)

"Lord Jesus, you are my joy and my treasure. Make me rich in the things of your heavenly kingdom and give me a generous heart that I may freely share with others the spiritual and material treasures you have given to me."

May God’s Grace and Blessings Always be with you and yours!!  Our Lady of Guadalupe – Pray for us!!  

 

Yours in Christ,

Deacon Bob

St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church

Houston, TX