Gospel: September 28, 2025
September 28, 2025 (Sunday)
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Psalter: Week 2 / (Green)
Ps 146:7, 8-9, 9-10
Praise the Lord, my soul!
1st Reading: Amos 6:1a, 4-7
Woe to those proud people, who live overconfident, on the hill of Samaria! Woe to you, men of renown, from the first among the nations, to whom the people of Israel come! You lie on beds inlaid with ivory and sprawl on your couches; you eat lamb from the flock and veal from calves fattened in the stall.
You strum on your harps, and like David, try out new musical instruments. You drink wine by the bowlful and anoint yourselves with the finest oils; but you do not grieve over the ruins of Joseph. Therefore, you will be the first to go into exile; and the feast of sprawlers will be over.
2nd Reading: 1 Timothy 6:11-16
But you, man of God, shun all this. Strive to be holy and godly. Live in faith and love, with endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith and win everlasting life, to which you were called, when you made the good profession of faith, in the presence of so many witnesses.
Now, in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Jesus Christ, who expressed before Pontius Pilate the authentic profession of faith: preserve the revealed message to all.
Keep yourself pure and blameless, until the glorious coming of Christ Jesus, our Lord, who God will bring about at the proper time; he, the magnificent sovereign, King of kings and Lord of lords. To him, alone, immortal, who lives in unapproachable light, and whom no one has ever seen or can see, to him, be honor and power, for ever and ever. Amen!
Gospel: Luke 16:19-31
Once there was a rich man who dressed in purple and fine linen and feasted every day. At his gate lay Lazarus, a poor man covered with sores, who longed to eat just the scraps falling from the rich man’s table. Even dogs used to come and lick his sores. It happened that the poor man died, and angels carried him to take his place with Abraham. The rich man also died, and was buried. From the netherworld where he was in torment, the rich man looked up and saw Abraham afar off, and with him Lazarus at rest. He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me, and send Lazarus, with the tip of his finger dipped in water, to cool my tongue, for I suffer so much in this fire!’ Abraham replied, ‘My son, remember that in your lifetime you were well-off, while the lot of Lazarus was misfortune. Now he is in comfort, and you are in agony. But that is not all.
Between your place and ours a great chasm has been fixed, so that no one can cross over from here to you, or from your side to us.’ The rich man implored once more, ‘Then I beg you, Father Abraham, send Lazarus to my father’s house, where my five brothers live. Let him warn them, so that they may not end up in this place of torment.’ Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ But the rich man said, ‘No, Father Abraham; but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced, even if someone rises from the dead.’”
Lectio Divina:
“The poor who live for God.”
Read: Amos challenges those who live a luxurious life while ignoring the poor who have remained faithful to God. Timothy is urged to live a life of holiness. The two ways are contrasted in Christ’s parable of the rich man and Lazarus.
Reflect: “Alas for you who have wealth, for you have been comforted now” (Lk 6:25). Luke’s version of Christ’s Beatitudes contrasts the fate of the rich and the poor. The poor will inherit the Kingdom of God and those who use their riches selfishly will see their comfort come to an end. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus expands on this teaching.
Lazarus means “God has helped.” It seems ironic at first, given his pitiable state, but Lazarus remains faithful, like the remnant of the House of Joseph in the first reading. They are the anawim, the poor who live for God, and because of their trust, the Lord helps and saves them. And so, Lazarus is carried to eternal peace. Do I remain faithful to God in affliction? Do I share my riches with others, that their suffering might be alleviated? May we be poor in spirit—always open to God.
Pray: Pray for a poverty of spirit and a generosity of heart.
Act: Look around you to see who needs your help.
