Scripture readings, reflection

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By Fr. Andrew Kelly
TWENTY SIXTH SUNDAY ORDINAL TIME – SEPTEMBER 29, 2013
From the “place of torment” the rich man cries out to Abraham in Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 16:19-31): “Then, father, I beg you to send Lazarus…that Lazarus may warn my brothers…”
Abraham responds: “Your brothers have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.” The rich man listened but never heard the prophet Isaiah (58:7):
“Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?”
The rich man suggests that if somebody was raised from the dead, his brothers would be converted.  Abraham is not convinced: “If your brothers do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.”
The believing community proclaims: “Christ is risen!”  Is it listening to Moses and the prophets and being converted and transformed?
If so the community will always see the naked, famished, helpless and homeless Lazarus and will then begin taking care of all Lazarus’ needs.
This is the only way the community will prevent itself from joining the rich man in “this place of torment.”
(Father Andrew Kelly is a retired priest of the Diocese of Davenport.)

Scripture Readings for Sept. 29 to Oct. 6
Sunday
Am 6:1a, 4-7
1 Tm 6:11-16
Lk 16:19-31

Monday
Zec 8:1-8
Lk 9:46-50

Tuesday
Zec 8:20-23
Lk 9:51-56

epay

Wednesday
Neh 2:1-8
Mt 18:1-5, 10

Thursday
Neh 8:1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12
Lk 10:1-12

Friday
Bar 1:15-22
Lk 10:13-16

Saturday
Bar 4:5-12, 27-29
Lk 10:17-24

Sunday
Hb 1:2-3; 2:2-4
2 Tm 1:6-8, 13-14
Lk 17:5-10


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