Be At The Service of The Poor.
Dear Parishioners,
How the poor and vulnerable are treated in any society reveals the true moral state of that nation.
In eighth-century Israel, the prophet Amos became known for boldly challenging the deepening divide between the rich and the poor. He spoke forcefully against those who profited at the expense of the oppressed. His words condemned the rich and the ruling class for exploiting the vulnerable, and he was met with fierce opposition. They dismissed him as merely a prophet of doom.
Yet Amos is deeply relevant in today’s world. He remains a voice for the poor and the marginalized voice that still speaks to our conscience. He spares no one, especially those who remain silent in the face of injustice. Through Amos, God condemned the complacent rulers of both the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel, who allowed grave injustices to continue unchecked.
The exploitation of the poor has always been met with the strongest condemnation in the eyes of the Lord. To oppress the poor and destitute violates the core principles of charity, love, and justice.
In today's Gospel parable, Jesus broadens our understanding of our obligations to the poor. The story of Lazarus and the rich man emphasize the critical importance of caring for those in need. Notably, the rich man never refused Lazarus, and Lazarus never asked for anything—but this does not excuse the rich man's failure. His sin was not active cruelty, but rather indifference. He ignored the suffering right at his doorstep, locked in his own world, consumed with comfort and excess. This indifference led to his condemnation.
This is precisely what Amos spoke out against: "Woe to the complacent in Zion" (Amos 6:1). Following in that prophetic tradition, the U.S. Catholic Bishops declared: “Jesus takes the side of those most in need. As followers of Christ, we are challenged to make a fundamental ‘option for the poor’—to speak for the voiceless, to defend the defenseless, to assess lifestyles, policies, and social institutions in terms of their impact on the poor.” Economic Justice for All, U.S. Catholic Bishops, 1986, no.16.
We must acknowledge that it is easy to exploit or neglect the poor in today’s complex economic systems. Still, we are called to resist this temptation. We are called to be different.
Jesus teaches us to see God in the poor and vulnerable. He calls us to respond not just with words, but with love, presence, and resources. While we may not be able to solve the root causes of poverty, we must not contribute to it through neglect or indifference.
The rich man could have used his wealth to help his neighbor, but he chose not to. He was blinded by his own comfort, and in the end, he paid a terrible price. Material wealth is not evil in and of itself. It is a gift from God that provides security and comfort. But it can never replace God or justify turning a blind eye to the suffering around us. Lazarus may never have spoken a word, but his very presence was a cry for help. We should not wait to be asked. Let the love of God inspire us to act generously and compassionately.
Do what you can to uphold the dignity of every human life. Always be at the service of the poor. As St. Paul encourages us in his letter to Timothy: “Compete well for the faith. Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called…”
(1 Timothy 6:12)
Sincerely Yours In Christ,
Rev. Vitalis Anyanike
Pastor
