OT XXVI [C]: Amos 6:1a, 4-7; 1Tm 6:11-16; Lk 16:19-31

September 27th is the feast of Saint Vincent de Paul. In the 16th century France, Saint Vincent de Paul observed the disparity between the rich and the poor. As a priest, he had the opportunity to experience the aristocratic life as well as the life of the destitute poor in Paris. He organized groups of women called Charities who gave their time and belongings to the poor. Some of these women chose the consecrated life and became the first female congregation to live a consecrated life “in the world,” and not in the cloister. Saint Vincent de Paul and Saint Louise de Marillac founded this congregation, named the “Daughters of Charity.”  Our first U.S.-born saint, Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton, founded the U.S. branch of the Daughters of Charity. Two centuries after Saint Vincent de Paul, a 20-year old college student, Frederick Ozanam, and five other students, witnessed the dire poverty of the lower social classes in Paris. They decided to dedicate themselves to the poor, after the example of Saint Vincent de Paul. In 1833, they established “The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.”  They were determined to bring not only bread but friendship to the poor. They would not ignore the Lazaruses at their door in 19th century Paris. In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us a warning, pointing to the destiny of the rich man who neglected his duty to show mercy to poor Lazarus. The rich man was punished, not for having riches, but for neglecting the Scriptures and what they taught.

Amos, in the first reading, issues a powerful warning to those who seek wealth at the expense of the poor and who spend their time and their money only on themselves. He prophesies that those rich and self-indulgent people will be punished by God with exile because they don’t care for their poor and suffering brothers.

The sin of the rich man in the gospel parable was that he never noticed Lazarus who represents a fact of life: the poor, the sick, and the unfortunate who are always around us. He did no wrong, but he did nothing. In the Catholic teaching, that is the sin of omission (not doing what one is supposed to do).

Jesus told this parable to condemn the Pharisees for their love of money and lack of mercy for the poor. He also used the parable to correct three Jewish misconceptions held and taught by the Sadducees: 1) Material prosperity in this life is God’s reward for moral uprightness, while poverty and illness are God’s punishment for sins. Hence, there is no need to help the poor and the sick for they have been cursed by God. 2) Since wealth is a sign of God’s blessing, the best way of thanking God is to enjoy it by leading a life of luxury and self-indulgence in dress, eating and drinking, of course, after giving God His portion as tithe. 3) The parable also addresses the false doctrine of the Sadducees denial of the soul’s survival after death. Jesus challenges these misconceptions through the parable and condemns the rich who ignore the poor they encounter.

The problem of the rich man was that he was insensitive to the needs of his fellow men. Insensitivity is infectious, a disease that is spreading fast not just in wider society but also much closer to home.  All sadly traits of a modern day society are manifested when we find ourselves consumed by social media, our own personal egos, selfishness and lack of willingness to stand up and do the right thing.

But there are also people who proved that their little actions can impact the world.

After needing 13 litres of blood for a surgery at the age of 13, a man named James Harrison pledged to donate blood once he turned 18. It was discovered that his blood contained a rare antigen which cured Rhesus disease. He has donated blood a record 1000 times and saved 2000000 lives.

For the past ten years, Luis Soriano, a teacher in the small town of La Gloria, Colombia, has created a mobile library with the help of his donkeys. He then travels through the fields to the villages beyond where children await his visits impatiently. He firmly believes that bringing books to people who don't have access to them can improve the country and open up possibilities for the future generation.

We are all rich enough to share our blessings with others. God has blessed each one of us with wealth or health or special talents or social power or political influence or a combination of many blessings. We need to remember that sharing is the criterion of the Last Judgment: Matthew (25:31ff), tells us that all six questions to be asked of each one of us by Jesus when He comes in glory as our judge are based on how we have shared our blessings from Him (food, drink, home, mercy and compassion), in our brothers and sisters, anyone in need.’ Our choices here determine the kind of eternity we will have. It has been put this way: “Where we go hereafter depends on what we ‘go after,’ here!”

While enjoying these blessings, we should not be insensitive to the needs of less fortunate. Our little acts of kindness can bring smiles to the life of many. And they will be our advocates to plead for us. When the rich man reached his destiny Lazarus was there but there was nothing for Lazarus to plead for him. Let us try to do whatever little is possible for us to alleviate the sufferings of people around us. Not a single act will go waste. Everything will be account for in our favour.