📖 Readings for September 28, 2025
First Reading – Amos 6:1a, 4-7
Woe to the complacent in Zion! Lying upon beds of ivory, stretched comfortably on their couches, they eat lambs taken from the flock, and calves from the stall; improvising to the music of the harp, like David, they devise their own accompaniment. They drink wine from bowls and anoint themselves with the best oils; yet they are not made ill by the collapse of Joseph! Therefore, now they shall be the first to go into exile, and their wanton revelry shall be done away with.
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 146:7, 8-9, 9-10
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
The LORD secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets captives free.
The LORD gives sight to the blind. The LORD raises up those who were bowed down; the LORD loves the just.
The LORD protects strangers. The fatherless and the widow he sustains, but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.
Second Reading – 1 Timothy 6:11-16
But you, man of God, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Compete well for the faith. Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called when you made the noble confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who gave testimony under Pontius Pilate for the noble confession, to keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ that the blessed and only ruler will make manifest at the proper time, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, and whom no human being has seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal power. Amen.
Gospel – Luke 16:19-31
Jesus said to the Pharisees: “There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.
When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’
Abraham replied, ‘My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’
He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.’ But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.’”
I. Introduction
The Word of God this Sunday confronts us with the danger of complacency and indifference. The rich man ignored Lazarus at his gate, and his negligence led to eternal separation. The message: our salvation is bound up with how we respond to the suffering around us.
II. The Gospel Passage and Its Context
Jesus addresses the Pharisees, who prided themselves on wealth and status. By contrasting the luxurious life of the rich man with the suffering of Lazarus, He shows that God’s justice sees beyond appearances. The reversal after death warns us: earthly comforts do not guarantee eternal joy; what matters is mercy lived out in action.
III. Broader Scriptural Resonance on Humility
- Amos warns against self-indulgence while ignoring societal collapse.
- The Psalm reminds us that God sides with the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalized.
- Paul’s exhortation to Timothy calls for humility and devotion over worldly pride.
Together, they show that humility means living in awareness that all we have is gift—and that we are stewards for others, not just ourselves.
IV. Reflections
- Wealth and power can blind us to the needs at our doorstep.
- True humility is not passive—it notices, bends down, and serves.
- Indifference is a silent sin. Ignoring suffering creates the “great chasm” between us and God.
Quote for Emphasis:
“The measure of love is to love without measure.” — St. Augustine
V. Practical Applications
- Examine daily life—Who is the “Lazarus” at your gate? A classmate, coworker, neighbor, or family member?
- Choose simplicity—Practice restraint and generosity instead of indulgence.
- Be God’s hands—Support those in need through concrete actions, not only words.
- Cultivate humility—Remember that all blessings are meant to be shared.
VI. Conclusion
The parable is not only about the afterlife—it is a mirror held before us today. God asks: Do you see? Do you act? The time to bridge the chasm is now. Through humility and mercy, we find eternal life.
Verse of the Day
“The Lord raises up those who were bowed down; the Lord loves the just.” — Psalm 146:8
Prayer for the Reader
Loving Father,
Keep my heart from complacency and my eyes open to the needs of others. Help me to recognize the Lazarus at my gate and to respond with humility and compassion. Teach me to use my blessings as gifts to share, not treasures to hoard. May I walk in Your light, fight the good fight of faith, and find eternal joy in You.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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