Friar’s Corner: Sharing Jesus’ love
Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR
Amos 6:1a, 4-7; Psalm 146:7-10; 1 Timothy 6:11-16; Luke 16:19-31
The readings this weekend speak about the Christian paradox of where lasting wealth can really be found. The first reading is from a minor prophet, Amos, eight hundred years before Christ. He speaks strongly against the northern Jewish kingdom, which amassed riches with little concern for the less fortunate. That kingdom, 10 tribes, was eventually destroyed due to lack of obedience to God. The famous gospel story today of St. Luke is about the beggar Lazarus at the gate of a rich man who does not help him. Lazarus gains heaven while the rich man and his family do not.
Psalm 146 urges us to secure justice for the oppressed and food for the hungry. God wants to help the poor and we can help him in that process by how we can care for their needs. In the second reading, St. Paul urges his disciple Timothy to pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience and gentleness. He wants us also to put into practice our Christian calling to love God first and love our neighbor as we love our self.
There are a lot of reasons for poverty and wealthy businesses to want more. Think only of the bombing of oil fields in Sandy Arabia a few weeks ago and the rise of our oil prices the next day. We were not short of gas at the gas stations. They say the USA is the largest oil producer now in the world. There was no shortage of gas in our country. Who is benefitting in that jump in prices? Is it greed?
Focus on God
With all the “bad news” this week, I want to focus on what can help us most. I think our first need is keeping our focus on God and our daily communication with the Holy Trinity. God established our country based on Jewish/Christian principles. Anti-God forces are trying to “erase” as much of God as they can in many areas of our life. Many of us believe the bad weather is a punishment from our creator. Some know there is a war going on between God and the devils. We cannot do much to change our culture and world. What we can do is daily “beg” God for his mercy and return our country’s focus on him. He does not want to destroy our country but bring about corrections and changes where needed.
We need to pray a lot and take care of our personal responsibilities and then help those in need as the Holy Spirit directs us. In prayer we can attend daily Mass more frequently, our “daily” heavenly bread. We can read the New Testament, pray a rosary and a Chaplet of Divine Mercy, begging God for his blessings on us, our country and the world. God is enacting changes on much of our world. After the Mass, I love the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. That prayer is fully approved by the Vatican. Jesus gives us direct access into his heart and many blessings.
A Bible recommendation
The New Testament I most strongly recommend, which I have mentioned before, is a new St. Joseph Catholic version, published by Catholic Book Publishing, New Jersey. It is a Red-Letter edition meaning that everything Jesus said in the 4 gospels is printed in red ink. It’s ISBN # is 978-0-89942-311-1. You can purchase it from Communication Center (https://www.comcenter.com/), 4315 Ralph Jones Ct., South Bend, IN 46628, 800-348-2227 at $7.49 and add taxes and shipping. This store has many Bibles and other educational things in English and Spanish. This book is cheaper here than through Amazon.
The closer you get to Jesus the more you will be blessed. And as you move through your day, you will be sharing God’s graces in you with all those you come in contact with. Jesus may also give you words to share with them. Have a wonder-filled week.
Blessings,
+ Father Bob Hilz
fbhilz@gmail.com
(© 2019 Father Bob Hilz, TOR)
