Sunday September 28th, 2025
Jesus said, "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, `Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.' But Abraham said, `Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.' He said, `Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father's house-- for I have five brothers-- that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.' Abraham replied, `They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.' He said, `No, Father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to him, `If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'" Luke 16:19-31
We live in a time when the rich are heralded as the chosen ones and the poor as losers. Yet in this story, this parable of Jesus, we know the poor man's name and have no idea who the rich man is. the rich man had everything and stepped over Lazarus daily, never even knowing his name, but God did. Too many are stepping over the poor, the immigrant, the ill and the outcasts. Yet God knows them each by name and calls us all to live a life worthy of having a name remembered. The rich man pleads with Father Abraham, who reminds him that he had all truth from scripture when he lived, as do his family still living. We are called to live with kindness and forgiveness. The ancient words of Micah 6:8 are relevant today. "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." God would never step over any of us.
A Litany for Sunday, September 28th
Loving Creator, you call us to justice and humility
and you have placed your love and joy within us
helping us to walk with you on your holy journey.
Hold our hands, precious Savior, as you lead us on this sacred journey.
We often ignore your teachings and your stories
we made up new narratives that are easier for us
and we step over those who you would have us see.
Hold our hands, precious Savior, as you lead us on this sacred journey.
Open our eyes to your beloved around us all
help us to walk with justice, kindness and love
and give us strength to lift up our struggling neighbors.
Hold our hands, precious Savior, as you lead us on this sacred journey.
You put your heart in all of your people and creation
help us to live with great gratitude and all humility.
Hold our hands, precious Savior, as you lead us on this sacred journey.
Lift us from our selfish needs and turn us to service
so we might one day meet gentle souls like Lazarus.
Hold our hands, precious Savior, as you lead us on this sacred journey.
For you are the God of all justice and loving hearts
and we are yours, ready again to carry loving justice to the world.
Hold our hands, precious Savior, as you lead us on this sacred journey. Amen.
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