Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C

First Reading

Amos 6:1,4-7

God will judge the complacency of the people and their leaders.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 146:7-10

Happy are those who find solace in God, the help of the poor.

Second Reading

1 Timothy 6:11-16

Paul exhorts Timothy to stay faithful to God in all things.

Gospel Reading

Luke 16:19-31

Jesus tells the parable of the reversal of fortunes between the rich man and the poor man, Lazarus.

Background on the Gospel Reading

A major theme in the Gospel of Luke is the importance of the care of the poor in the life of discipleship. In the parable found in today's Gospel, Jesus contrasts the life of a rich man and the poor man, Lazarus, who lives in the shadow of the rich man and his wealth. Both die. Lazarus finds himself in heaven; the rich man in the netherworld. The rich man asks for assistance from Lazarus in his torment. But Abraham reminds the rich man of the good things he had in his life and describes the current situation as a reversal of fortunes. The rich man then asks that Lazarus be sent to warn his family, but this is denied with the reminder that Moses and the prophets have warned of judgment for those who neglect the care of the poor.

In the context of Luke's Gospel, this parable, delivered in the presence of a crowd of listeners, is part of Jesus' response to some Pharisees. These Pharisees are described in Luke's Gospel as “loving money.” (Note: The Pharisees were followers of a sect of Judaism active before, during, and after Jesus' lifetime. They taught an oral interpretation of the Law of Moses as the basis for popular Jewish piety. They put less emphasis on Temple worship and more on applying the law to everyday life. Though they are often portrayed negatively in the Gospels, they shared many of Jesus' and the early Church's concerns about the law.) Jesus observed that the actions of some Pharisees betrayed misplaced priorities: they spoke one way, but acted in another. The story of the rich man and Lazarus demonstrates the importance of the care of the poor and is a reminder to those who would follow Jesus of the unimportance of wealth in the eyes of God.

Saint Vincent de Paul

This week we celebrate St. Vincent de Paul on September 27. He is widely known for his charity

and compassion for the poor was one of the greatest Catholic priests.

Saint Vincent de Paul was born into an impoverished French peasant family in 1581. The deep

spiritual life and the profound devotion towards Christ propelled him to find God in the poor.

As a Catechism of the Catholic Church states, Saint Vincent de Paul was canonized in 1607 to serve Christ and the Church. Attention to the needy and a healthy dose of humility are two hallmarks of Saint Vincent de Paul's spirituality. He always believed "Go to the poor, you will find God" and suggested his disciples and humanity make it a practice to serve the poor. He also established various religious congregations.

J.S. Bach – PASSACAGLIA & FUGUE (C MINOR) 

Jonathan Scott performs Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Passacaglia & Fugue in C Minor BWV 582. Filmed at the new Rieger Pipe Organ of St. Mary's Basilica (Bazyliki Mariackiej), Kraków, Poland.

Monthly Family Mass

We are planning to initiate a monthly celebration focused on families at the 9:00 am Mass. We will try to gear the readings, homily, music, etc. to families with children. We want to form a committee to work on the planning and preparation for this Monthly Family Mass. Fr. Ron is looking for parents both from our school and our religious education program who would like to be a part of this committee. If you are interested, send an email to Fr. Ron: rmbagley@yahoo.com

This first Family Mass will be this Sunday, September 25 at 9:00 am.

The Knights of Columbus would like to invite our parish and friends to our annual Oktoberfest celebration this Saturday, 

September 24, from 5:00 – 8:00 in the Parish Hall. 

We will have Traditional German Music a raffle and German Beer. Tip-Top Meats will be providing the German sausage and sauerkraut.

Tickets will be $20.00 each and will be on sale at the door!

Un Saludo de parte del Diacono Miguel,

En aquel tiempo, Jesús dijo a los fariseos: "Había un hombre rico, que se vestía de púrpura y telas finas y banqueteaba espléndidamente cada día. Y un mendigo, llamado Lázaro, yacía a la entrada de su casa, cubierto de llagas y ansiando llenarse con las sobras que caían de la mesa del rico... El domingo pasado escuchábamos en el Evangelio, que “no podemos servir a Dios y al dinero”. Y decía en mi homilía, que el dinero nos confunde, nos miente y nos ciega. Como seres humanos, caemos en la idea de que somos autosuficientes, y es por “mi trabajo, mi esfuerzo, mi sacrificio, que tengo lo que tengo”. Y juzgamos a otros que no tienen lo que tenemos; a esas personas que se paran en las esquinas pidiendo limosnas. Hasta pensamos, “están así porque quieren, ¡son unos flojos!”. Este domingo, el Evangelio nos habla de otro hombre rico, que se vestía con ropas finas y banqueteaba todos los días. También nos habla de un mendigo, llamado Lázaro, que ansiaba llenarse con las sobras que caían de la mesa del rico. El hombre rico no lo miro, sólo podía mirar “su” comida, “su” reino, “sus” propias comodidades. El Evangelio nos dice que Lázaro se encuentra a un lado de Abraham (en el cielo), el hombre rico se encuentra en el lugar del castigo. ¿Qué nos dice este texto? No nos olvidemos de los pobres que están a nuestro alrededor. Estemos atentos a sus necesidades sin juzgar ni criticarlos. Dios está con ellos y escucha su llanto, espera que seamos “cristos’ para ellos, tratándolos con dignidad y caridad.

Por favor escuchen a los enlaces proveídos, espero que les ayude en su reflexión.

Detente 

Hablemos del El Rico y Lázaro

3821 Adams Street

Carlsbad, California 92008

760.729.2866