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| Image from Christian Art (Click for larger version!) |
Looking ahead to the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we're faced with very strong scripture texts that stand as judgment on our lives and our lifestyles. You'll find the hard sayings of this Sunday's readings here along with commentary on them. Escorting children to Mass this weekend? Check here for hints on helping children prepare to the the Word of the Lord.
The first lesson, from the prophet Amos, gets right to the point: "Woe to you who are complacent, stretched out comfortably on your sofas, eating well, listening to music, having a few drinks and dousing yourself in expensive perfumes, lotions and after-shave! Your good times are about to end and after that..."
Gulp!
The gospel, from Luke, is the familiar and riveting story of the rich man and the beggar, Lazarus, who begged for scraps from the wealthy man's table. If that's not enough to stir your memory of this tale then either you're not familiar with the gospels or you're in denial! What becomes of Lazarus and the rich man in eternity should be enough to make most of us squirm in discomfort.
The second lesson is another passage from Paul's first letter to Timothy. The tone is more positive here, as Paul instructs Timothy to "compete well for the faith, to keep the Lord's word without stain or reproach, to lay hold of the life to which we have been called." Strong language here but more challenging than judgmental.
There's really no wriggling out of the bare truth of these scriptures. Follow the links, read the texts and be prepared to hear them at the Lord's table where we, sinners, are fed the richest banquet possible.
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That is a great picture! Beautiful, haunting and eye opening. I definitely appreciate what the scripture says but I will say the idea of being able to stretch out on the sofa without a care in the world...kind of appealing.
ReplyDeleteYears ago I decided I had too much time for that kind of thing, I think there is such a thing as going too far in the other direction. Personally I am looking for some balance.