Amos 6:1, 4-7, Ps 145(146):6-10,1 Tim 6:11-16, Lk 16:19-31
Amos warns both the northern kingdom, Israel, ie Samaria, and the southern kingdom, Judea, with its capital Zion or Jerusalem, that the idle rich in both kingdoms will be the first to go into exile. 40 years later, in 721 BC, Samaria was conquered, and later Judea followed into exile.
The Psalm, echoed by Mary in Luke’s Magnificat, confirms that God’s justice will prevail: the hungry will be fed, the blind given sight, but the wicked will lose out.
Instructing Timothy how to organise the early Christian church, Paul also insists the rich should use their wealth for good deeds. Christians should ideally aspire to show the Christian virtues as examples to all, and so witness to the truth, until our Lord Jesus Christ returns to appear in glory as King of kings. And Paul insists that only God “has immortality”: we do not simply have souls that live on after death – our creed says we believe in “the resurrection of the body”, a gift from God in which our whole person, body and soul, lives for ever.
The Gospel graphically illustrates the dangers of riches: the rich man, who is not named, asks that the poor man – who is named – Lazarus – be sent to relieve his torments in hell. Abraham tells him the rich should listen to the prophets.
Psalm Response: My soul, give praise to the Lord.
(Amos 6:1, 4-7, Ps 145(146):6-10,1 Tim 6:11-16, Lk 16:19-31)