September 26, Twenty-Sixth Sunday

Praise the Lord, my soul! — Psalm 146:1 

Mass Readings: Amos 6:1, 4-7 / 1 Timothy 6:11-16 / Luke 16:19-31 

Put God First 

Although it’s located in a middle-class suburb, my parish has a religious order’s training house for lay missionaries on its grounds. Young men and women leave their comfortable lives to serve and witness to the Gospel among the poor in Africa. Most of us often associate missionaries with conversion but the missionaries often talk about “reverse evangelization.” They’re the ones whose faith increases. The faith and charity of the poor, who are close to God, enable the missionaries to live more authentically as Christians once they return. 

In today’s Gospel we hear of the rich man who dies and now suffers in torment. He pleads with Abraham to warn his brothers. Few of us can be missionaries but all of us can strive to put God first in our lives and turn away from sin.

Prayer: Lord, help me to seek grace and not material goods.