The love for money is the root of all evils, and this clearly stands out in the gospel of The Rich man and Lazarus, which we will reflect upon today. From the 2nd reading, we can clearly deduce that wealth can be a dangerous trap that can lead people to eternal destruction, we should be careful not to use wealth in an ungodly manner, and our responsibility is to be faithful to God in the realm of financial stewardship. If we trust God, we will be good stewards of the money and possessions that he has entrusted us. And when we become wealthy, we should not be arrogant, we should not put our hope in wealth, and we should be rich in good deeds by being generous and willing to share. We should also avoid debt: Proverbs 22:7, and not assume tomorrow, but prepare for it. And as according to Matthew 25:14-30, wealth is a gift from God, and should be used in his service.
First Reading
Job 15:17-35
I will show you, if you listen to me; what I have seen I will tell
What the wise relate and have not contradicted since the days of their ancestors, To whom alone the land was given, when no foreigner moved among them. The wicked is in torment all his days, and limited years are in store for the ruthless;
The sound of terrors is in his ears; when all is prosperous, a spoiler comes upon him. He despairs of escaping the darkness, and looks ever for the sword; A wanderer, food for vultures, he knows destruction is imminent.
A day of darkness fills him with dread; distress and anguish overpower him, like a king expecting an attack.
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Because he has stretched out his hand against God, and arrogantly challenged the Almighty, Rushing defiantly against him, with the stout bosses of his shields.
Although he has covered his face with his crassness, padded his loins with blubber,
He shall dwell in ruined cities,
in houses that are deserted,
crumbling into rubble.
He shall not be rich, his possessions shall not endure;
his property shall not spread over the land.
A flame shall sear his early growth, and with the wind his blossoms shall disappear.
Let him not trust in his height, misled, even though his height be like the palm tree.
He shall wither before his time, his branches no longer green.
He shall be like a vine that sheds its grapes unripen,
like an olive tree casting off its blossom. For the breed of the impious shall be sterile,
and fire shall consume the tents of extortioners.
They conceive malice, bring forth deceit
give birth to fraud.
The word of the Lord.
Wimbo wa Katikati
Zab 126:1-6
Bwana alipowarejeza mateka wa Sayuni,
Tulikuwa kama waotao ndoto.
Ndipo kinywa chetu kilipojaa kicheko,
Na ulimi wetu kelele za furaha.
(K) Bwana alitutendea mambo makuu, tulikuwa tukifurahi.
Ndipo waliposema katika mataifa,
Bwana amewatendea mambo makuu,
Bwana alitutendea mambo makuu,
Tulikuwa tukifurahi.
(K) Bwana alitutendea mambo makuu, tulikuwa tukifurahi.
Ee Bwana, uwarejeze watu wetu waliofungwa,
Kama vijito vya Kusini,
Wapandao kwa machozi,
Watavuna kwa kelele za furaha.
(K) Bwana alitutendea mambo makuu, tulikuwa tukifurahi.
Ingawa mtu anakwenda zake akilia,
Azichukuapo mbegu za kupanda,
Hakika atarudi kwa kelele za furaha,
Aichukuapo miganda yake.
(K) Bwana alitutendea mambo makuu, tulikuwa tukifurahi.
2nd Reading
James 5:1-6
Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries. Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten, your gold and silver have corroded, and that corrosion will be a testimony against you; it will devour your flesh like a fire. You have stored up treasure for the last days. Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers who harvested your fields are crying aloud, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on earth in luxury and pleasure; you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter. You have condemned; you have murdered the righteous one;f he offers you no resistance.
The word of the Lord.
Gospel
Luke 16:19-31
The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.
There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day.
And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.
When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried,
and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’
Abraham replied, ‘My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.
Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.’But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead
The gospel of the Lord
