What do you live for?
What do you treasure?
Our readings this weekend suggest that our true wealth lies,
not in the self-absorption so characteristic of modern (and sometimes ancient)
society, but in our relationship with God and other.
We hear once again this week from the prophet Amos, who
condemns not only excess but complacency, that sense that we are resting safe
and sound, secure in a place of peace and repletion. But in fact the religious leaders of Amos’
time have withdrawn so completely into their world of luxury that they fail to
see the kingdom collapsing around them.
Blinded by self-interest, their only cult is their absorption in
themselves, and in their own comfort.
They have little sense of the needs of the world outside their own
isolated universe, and have lost touch with God, the relationship that should
define them, first and foremost, and with other.
Similarly, the rich man in the Gospel text from Luke has himself
also become complacent, forgetting the needs of Lazarus, his brother in
covenant, concerned only for his own sensual comforts: purple
garments, fine linen, and sumptuous dining. Lazarus, on the other hand, has found
help in the bosom of Abraham, embracing an identity of innocence and complete
dependence on God. Having kept faith forever, he embodies the powerless soul protected by God in Psalm 146, set free for eternity after the misery of his life on earth.
So how do we seek right relationship with God? While we don’t necessarily have to suffer in misery, we can place
ourselves in that same posture of dependence embraced by Lazarus, pursuing righteousness, devotion, faith,
love, patience and gentleness (as Paul suggests to Timothy), remaining true to the core of our
faith, which is the love of God made manifest through the life, death, and
resurrection of Jesus. Rather than
getting caught up in power and worldly wealth, it behooves us first and foremost to keep the commandment, loving God and
other with everything in ourselves, remaining true to relationship before all
else.
How might you better demonstrate that you live for God, and
for other?
This post is based on Fr. Pat's Scripture class.
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