From: Ouko joachim omolo
The News Dispatch with Omolo Beste
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2013
Today’s first reading is taken from Am 6:1a, 4-7 . The reading presents Amos as being inspired by God to warn the rich who use their wealth to exploit and oppress the poor.
“Thus says the LORD the God of hosts: 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”.
Amos railed against the injustice of obtaining wealth through oppression or fraud. He denounced the unjust means by which it is sometimes achieved and the effect it can have on our lives.
We read in Proverbs 30:8-9 and Hosea 13:6 that wealth often tempts us to forget about God. Wealthy believers may no longer look to God for their provision because they can meet their basic needs.
We read in Ecclesiastes 2 and 5 that people who are wealthy cannot really enjoy their wealth. Even billionaires often reflect on the fact that they cannot really enjoy the wealth that they have. Proverbs 28:11 and Jeremiah 9:23 warn that wealth often leads to pride and arrogance.
Prophet Amos lived during the long reign of King Jeroboam II. Under his reign the Northern Kingdom of Israel many people became very wealthy, and began to lead a luxurious life. People turned away from God and built many altars on mountains to serve the Canaanite gods, the Baal and Ashtarte.
Amos warned the rich who had amassed their fortunes by cheating and robbery, that they would not enjoy their riches, but would lose everything when the land went down in doom. He announced the terrible punishment that God would bring upon the sinful people of Israel.
The second reading is taken from 1 Tm 6:11-16. Paul called Timothy his true son in the faith. He charged Timothy with instructing others not to listen to lies or myths about God and his truth, not to waste time in unproductive, distracting issues.
Paul wanted Timothy to teach others the matters of faith that would build the congregations of God and encourage them to avoid endless debates that would detract from their spiritual growth. He encouraged Timothy to hold fast, to remain faithful, to keep his calling in sight and to inspire others to do the same.
“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”.
The Gospel is taken from Lk 16:19-31. Jesus does not condemn wealth in itself. Part of the reason the rich man ended up in hell was because of his hard-heartedness toward the beggar Lazarus. His great wealth was obviously not a sign of God’s favor.
Jesus saw wealth as a gift from God to be used in his service (Matthew 25:14-30). Those who have been blessed with wealth must share generously with the poor (Matthew 25:31-46), and avoid the sins of arrogance (1 Timothy 6:17-19), dishonesty (Exodus 20:15, Mark 10:19, Luke 3:12-14) and greed (Luke 12:13-21).
Both men die eventually. The beggar goes straight to heaven to a state of endless happiness. His bodily sufferings have ended forever- he will never be in want again. The rich man fares very differently. His enjoyments are over forever.
Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578
E-mail omolo.ouko@gmail.com
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Twitter-@8000accomole
Real change must come from ordinary people who refuse to be taken hostage by the weapons of politicians in the face of inequality, racism and oppression, but march together towards a clear and unambiguous goal.
-Anne Montgomery, RSCJ
UN Disarmament
Conference, 2002