Sunday, September 29, 2019
Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels – Feast
“May isang mayamang nakadamit ng kulay-ube at pinong lino at marangyang kumakain araw-araw. At nakahandusay sa kanyang pintuan ang isang dukhang nagngangalang Lazaro, na tadtad ng mga sugat at naghahangad na mabusog sa mga mumong nahuhulog mula sa hapag ng mayaman. Lumalapit pa ang mga aso at dinidilaan ang kanyang mga sugat.” Luke 16:19-21
Sa isang pananaw, nasa isang lubhang di-kanais-nais na kalagayan si Lazaro. Siya ay dukha, nagugutom, at kaawa-awa. Tadtad siya ng mga sugat na dinidilaan ng mga aso. Napakalinaw ng paglalarawang ito na ginamit ni Hesus, at makatutulong na sikapin mong ilarawan sa iyong isip ang kaawa-awang pisikal na kalagayan ni Lazaro.
Ang susi sa kuwentong ito ay na bagaman kaawa-awa ang pisikal na kalagayan ni Lazaro, nasa mga kamay ng Diyos ang kanyang kaluluwa. Alam nating totoo ito sapagkat sinasabi sa atin na nang mamatay siya, siya ay “dinala ng mga anghel sa piling ni Abraham” (Luke 16:22).
This story provides us all with an opportunity to look at what is most important in life. The rich man had all he wanted in this life but clearly lacked charity on account of the fact that he ignored the physical needs of Lazarus. For that reason, the rich man was spiritually impoverished, whereas Lazarus was spiritually prosperous.
When you can keep your eyes on what is most important in life, spiritual wealth, it will make the many other hardships you endure less burdensome. Perhaps you will never be in the same physical condition as Lazarus, but you may encounter other great pains and hardships in life. When this happens, the tendency may be to become fixated upon those sufferings and to take your eyes off your interior union with God.
Reflect, today, upon how you would deal with living like Lazarus. Reflect upon what your own “sores” are in life. They may be varied in type, degree and number from those of other people’s sufferings, , but they will be encountered in your life. As you identify your suffering, turn your eyes from it to the presence of God in your soul, and allow His presence to fill you with the riches of His grace.
Lord, I offer to You my suffering and pain, my misery and hurt. Help me to always keep my eyes on You and to seek satisfaction only in the riches of Heaven. Fill my heart, especially, with love of You and charity for others so that I will be truly rich in what matters most. Jesus, I trust in You.
Higit pang mga Pagninilay sa Ebanghelyo
Mga Pagninilay sa Inaawit na Awa ng Diyos
Saints of the Day – Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels
