26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Amo 6:1,4-7
1 Tim 6:11-16
Lk 16:19-31
“Woe to those ensconced so snugly…”
At first glance, this Sunday’s readings seem to once again contrast woe to the rich with blessed are the poor. The first reading from Amos warns those who live complacently and securely in their comforts, that their revelry will soon end. The Gospel gives us the familiar parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.
This passage reminds us that no one can escape death — whether one is rich or poor. Yet, what happens after death is strikingly different. The poor man died, but he was not alone; he was carried away by angels, comforted in the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died, but unlike Lazarus, he was buried in the ground — alone.
Whenever I reflect on passages like these, I find myself wrestling with the same questions: is it wrong to be comfortable? Does following Christ mean I must always suffer and carry the cross, with no room to enjoy the fruits of my labour? Should I feel guilty if I splurge on myself once in a while? For years, I’ve grappled with this tension — how comfortable is too comfortable?
I used to even sympathize with the rich man. Perhaps, I thought, his wealth had kept him secluded in his home, dressed in fine clothes and feasting daily, unaware of Lazarus lying outside his gate. Could it really be his fault if he didn’t know? After all, when he finally saw Lazarus in the afterlife, he showed concern for his brothers, wanting them to be spared his fate.
But then, one line struck me: “Father Abraham, pity me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue.”
This was illuminating. The rich man not only knew about Lazarus — he knew him by name. That means Lazarus was not a stranger. Perhaps his servants had spoken to him about the poor man at the gate, asking if food could be spared. Perhaps years had gone by with the same scene repeated daily, the rich man averting his eyes each time he passed. Whatever the case, he could not plead ignorance. His sin was one of omission — he knew Lazarus, yet failed to act.
What led to his downfall was not his wealth, but his indifference. Lazarus was physically close to him, right outside his door, yet invisible to his heart. Even after death, the rich man remained self-absorbed, focused only on his burning tongue and his comfort, never acknowledging how he had failed Lazarus in life.
This ties back to the first reading from Amos. At first it sounds like God condemns those who live in luxury. But the deeper issue, as Amos 6:6 says, is this: “about the ruin of Joseph they do not care at all”. The problem is not comfort — it is complacency, indifference, and a lack of compassion for those who suffer.
The rich man begged Abraham to send Lazarus back to warn his brothers, but Abraham’s reply was clear — they already had the Law and the Prophets. In other words, they already knew what God required of them — to care for the poor and the vulnerable.
For me, this reflection is both challenging and liberating. It’s not that I cannot enjoy the fruits of my labour or allow myself small luxuries. But do I also share my blessings? Do I get off my couch, open my eyes, and care for those in need?
Earlier this year, I embarked on my first mission trip to Cambodia. It was an eye-opening experience, but today’s Gospel reminds me that I don’t need to travel far to serve. The call to love is often much closer. Sometimes, it is simply about noticing and helping the ‘Lazarus’ at my own gate.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Esther Leet)
Prayer: Lord Jesus, open my eyes to recognise the ‘Lazarus’ in my life, and help me to love and care for them with compassion. Guide me to act not from my own strength or good intentions, but from Your will. Amen.
Thanksgiving: Thank You, Lord, for reminding me that wealth is not the issue — indifference is. Teach me to hold my blessings lightly, to share them freely, and to comfort those in need with the same mercy You have shown me. Amen.
OXYGEN 
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