It amazes me how the readings this weekend speak so directly to the world we live in today, even though the Bible was written over 2,000 years ago. They challenge us to reflect on wealth, comfort, and responsibility in today’s world. Amos warns against complacency. Enjoying luxury while ignoring suffering. This resonates strongly today. We live in a world where comfort & convenience are easy to prioritize, meanwhile, wars rage, poverty deepens, and entire communities are displaced or neglected. In Paul’s letter to Timothy, he tells us to pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness, reminding us that true greatness lies not in possessions but in the kind of life we live before God.

And lastly The Gospel of Lazarus at the rich man’s doorstep feels uncomfortably familiar. In my job in ministry here at SPX I receive weekly calls from people looking for housing or needing help financially to avoid eviction. Lazarus represents all those suffering at our own doorsteps: the homeless, the hungry, the displaced, the neglected. Like the rich man, we risk creating a “great chasm” if we fail to see and respond to those in need.

These scriptures are not just ancient warnings from a book written thousands of years ago; they are a message for us now! They should challenge us to examine our own lives and consider the world today. Choosing compassion over complacency, generosity over selfishness, and faith over comfort. If we choose correctly, we can transform both our lives and the world around us. And if there ever was a time when a change was needed, it is now.

God Bless!