YEAR C: HOMILY FOR THE 26TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
SUNDAY SERMON ONLINE THEME: THERE IS PUNISHMENT FOR THE SIN OF OMISSION
BY: Fr Jb Mbbah-Offor.
HOMILY: Amos 6:1.4-7, 1Tim 6:11-16, Luke 16:19-31
The Gospel of today talks about the Rich man and Lazarus. The rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. There was a poor man named Lazarus, a poor man covered with sores, who longed to eat just the scraps falling from the rich man’s table. The rich man did not pay attention to the poor man’s condition. Both of them died and judgment was made. The poor man was kept at Abraham’s bosom while the Rich ( Dives) was put in hell(Hades) as his reward.
The Rich man was described as the one being clothed in purple and fine linen ( verse 19). The word for ” clothed ” indicates that this was his habitual attire; he characteristically dressed this way.
The Dives was used and it is a Latin word meaning Rich. The name Lazarus is Greek version of the Hebrew name “Eleazar” which means ” God is my help”. Lazarus was a poor man who believes and trust in God. That is why he found himself in the bosom of Abraham. Abraham’s bosom is used in various ways in extrabiblical sources and in the old and new Testament. It could referred to mother’s womb. The Old Testament of this occurrences of this word concern: taking a child into the bosom and nursing the child, conjugal love , the Lord carrying the lambs in His bosom
The rich man committed the sin of omission, the sin of neglecting the poor that came to his house, he took no notice and care of Lazarus. Despite being poor and sick, the expectations of Lazarus were minimal. He wanted to eat only the crumbs, which fell from the rich man’s table. But the rich man did not take notice of him. The love the rich man had for his dogs, he did not have it for Lazarus, a human being like him.
When Lazarus died, people did not attend his funeral, but angels carried him away to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man died and went to hell. The rich man in his agony made two prayers: He prayed to Abraham that Lazarus may dip his finger in the water and cool his burning tongue. Secondly, he prayed again that Lazarus may be sent to his father’s house to warn his brothers. His prayers were not accepted.
We are like the rich man. God gave us gifts, talents, resources, and possessions, in different measures as servants. The way we use them will determine where God will place us at the end of our lives. Let’s consider our ways. Heaven or hell matters not wealthy or being poor.
SUNDAY SERMON ONLINE: HOMILY FOR THE 26TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C
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