Date: Sunday, September 18, 2016
The Responsorial Psalm gives us the key of interpretation. “Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.” Worship of God entails emulating the Lord’s compassion for the poor. Spirituality does not consist only of one’s fidelity to God but also in concrete and just care for our neighbor. This linkage is very apparent in our first reading when the Prophet Amos confronts the kingdom of Israel for complacency and self-indulgence during a time of prosperity when there is blatant mistreatment of the poor. Amos issues a warning from God: “Never will I forget a thing you have done.” What would Amos say to Pharmaceutical Companies that raise the cost of life saving medications and at the same time raise the salary of the CEO?
Saint Paul makes the same connection between our praise of God and the common good when he urges Timothy to offer God prayers, petitions and thanksgiving for everyone (including Kings) that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life. God wills that everyone be saved! Jesus gave his live in ransom for all. Jesus in the Gospel according to St. Luke makes the point succinctly: “You cannot serve God and mammon.” “Mammon” is an Aramaic word (language of Jesus) that means “money.” We can spend an entire life amassing great material wealth and have nothing of value at the end to show for it. Jesus says: “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves with purses that will not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is there your heart will be.” (Luke 12:33-34)