Last Sunday we heard the prophet Amos warn against actions that exploit and oppress the poor (Amos 8:4-7). Today we hear more from Amos as he takes this a bit further, warning against a complacency that can come from our own self-indulgence (Amos 6:1-7). In the gospel we hear Jesus drive this point home with the parable of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31).
With this parable, Jesus – as he usually does – tries to help us come to understand the “heart” of the law – that what is critically important is the disposition of our hearts and minds. Through this parable Jesus seems to be telling us that it is not only exploitive or repressive actions that we need to be mindful of, but – maybe more importantly – it is our overall attitude towards those in need that is key. Jesus seems to be telling us that it is indifference to, and neglect of, the poor that we must be watchful for. Jesus wants to help us move from a self-centered disposition to an attitude of solidarity informed by awareness of, and attention to, those in need. Jesus wants to help us move from an attitude of complacent self-indulgency and self-gain to one of attentiveness, compassion, sharing, and sacrifice.
Like Amos, Jesus wants us to “grieve over the plight of the poor” – to let their situation spur us to a change of heart and to concrete action. And Jesus invites us to dispose ourselves to him so that he can help us fight those all too human inclinations that might cause us to focus on our own comfort and self-satisfaction while ignoring others. Jesus invites us to help build up his kingdom by addressing stark inequities of this world so that all of God’s children can achieve their God-given dignity.
And Jesus reminds us that there is a lot at stake. As Paul reminds Timothy in today’s second reading (1 Tim 6:11-16), if we “compete well for the faith” – if we dedicate ourselves passionately to our God, if we are attentive to our fellow brothers and sisters, if we give God and neighbor our all – we will “take hold of eternal life”.