A WORD FOR TODAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2022

*A WORD FOR TODAY*

*KINDNESS AND GENEROUSITY OPENS THE DOOR OF HEAVEN*

_“There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores"(Luke 16:19-21)_

*GOD GAVE US EVERYTHING WE HAVE*

_*In a world where we have everything given to us by God which ordinarily should be enough for everyone, we still find people who are hungry and some starving to death. We find people who are homeless and who have no clothes to put on. In the midst of this heart renching situations we still find those who a stupendously rich and are working harder everday to amass more wealth they will never finish before they die, with little or no genuine concern for the poor as a result of selfishness, greed and unguarded quest and love for material acquisition and possession.*_

*OPTION FOR THE POOR IS VITAL*

_The readings of this Sunday moves our mind to the need for us to be considerate to the genuine needs of the poor around us. The preferential option for the poor is a catholic social teaching deeply rooted in the Scriptures that reminds us of the need to always take care of the poor and marginalized in our midst as Christ did when He was in the world and as He has laid it down for us in His commandments._

*MARGINALIZATION OF THE POOR IS DETESTED BY GOD*

_*In the first reading of today we see how the Lord through the prophet Amos scolded the political leaders and aristocrats of the time. They had everything they needed and they seem to be enjoying the best of things of life, but at the expence of the poor peasant farmers of the community. They thought it will remain that way forever, but the Lord said that they will be taken into exile where they will also experience lack. This is not so different from what we see in our world today and especially in our country Nigeria.*_

*NO CONDITION IS PERMANENT*

_Situations can always change in life, because no condition is permanent. *(a baby today will become an adult tomorrow, a car or trouser in vogue today will become out of fashion tomorrow. The only constant thing in life is change.)* A rich man today can become poor tomorrow and a poor man can become rich. Table turn and the person who is down could rise to become the king tomorrow. Therefore, do not boast with what you have or look down on others because of their situation, we must strive to have a good dispositions towards others, especially the poor and the needy and help them as much as we can. It is by being kind and compassionate to them and by doing something practically to help that we show that we are truly God's children._

_*GOD IS FOR ALL*

_*The God who made the rich also made the poor. Therefore, do not laugh at those who do not have or use your wealth to insult them, help them now with what God has given you. Treat people well today for no one knows tomorrow.*_

*BE SENSITIVE TO THE PLIGHT OF THE POOR*

_The problem of the rich man in the gospel reading of today is not because he is wealthy or chased Lazarus away from his house, infact to be rich is not a sin and to be poor is also not a sin. What you do with the state in which you find yourself matters a lot. Lazarus was not ashamed to beg, because he was genuinely in need. The rich man indulged himself, focused on himself alone out of selfishness and he became insensitive to the cry for help that came from poor *Lazarus (Eleazar-God is my help)* and he could not be moved by his pain and agony._

*TWO KINDS OF PEOPLE*

_In life we have two kinds of people, those who are earthbound and others who are seriously focused on making heaven._

*Earthbound characteristics*

-Selfishness
- Self-centered
- proud
-greedy
-Insatiable
-unguarded quest for matetial acquisition
-Stingy
-Insensitive, wicked and oppressive
-Arrogant
-Ungrateful and sad

*Heaven bound characteristics*

*-Selfless*
*-Humble*
*-Kind hearted*
*-Sensitive*
*-Compassionate*
*-Generous*
*-Sacrificial mentality*
*-Respetful*
*-Always disposed to help others*
*-Always grateful and cheerful*

_Where do you belong? Stop living a fake life, be true to yourself and you can find the help you need._

*CHANGE THE NARRATIVE TODAY*

_*Be kind and show compassion to the poor and needy around you. Be gentle and sensitive to the plight of those who work for you and treat them with dignity and respect. Share your little with the poor. Give tips and leave your change with the poor widow selling on the streets. Volunteer your time and resources for a good cause that impacts positively on others especially those who can never pay you back. Do not harden your heart to the cry of the poor or be insensitive to their pain, be moved in your heart to do something to help and it will count for you on the last day in the presence of God when we die and stand before the judgement seat of God. The good you do now to the poor will definitely open the door of heaven for you on the last day. Always remember (Matthew 25:31-46 Whatsoever you do to the least of my brethren that you do unto me/ 2 Corinthians 8-8-15). Aim at righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness and gentleness as St. Paul admonished Timothy in the second reading, fight the good fight of faith through charity and win eternal life for yourself in heaven on the last day.*_

_Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you begin your day and do have a beautiful Sunday. May Jesus give you the grace to always do what you can to help the poor and needy around you. Amen. *And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* Amos 6:1,4-7/Psalm 146:6-10/1 Timothy 6:11-16/Luke 16:19-31

*Watch-Word:* Fight the good fight of faith and win eternal life

_*When you give something to the poor, you are not giving him what is yours, but just giving back to him what belongs to him, since the goods of this earth belongs to all, not just to the rich.- St. Ambrose*_

(Twenty-Sixth Sunday of the Year C)

*© Rev. Fr. Augustine Eleke*