Homily: 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, YR C
“Share Your Wealth”
by Fr. William Holtzinger
Sept. 26, 2004

Today’s Scriptures may seem to laud the poor and shame the rich. It might seem to make sense. But, looking more deeply into the Scriptures, I propose, it isn’t about money at all. Rather it is about stewardship. In other words, we are being called to share what we have. Money has no moral character to it. But the love of money, as we heard in last week’s readings, will separate us from God.

Today we are being challenged to “pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness” (1 Tim. 6:11). We are being warned against complacency (Amos 6:1). We are being shown an example of the rewards of people who hoard the gifts they have been given in this life as well as the rewards of those who have suffered greatly in poverty.

The question before us is, who are we? Are we the one’s who have selfishly held onto the possessions we have? Have we looked the other way and avoided helping those who need it? Or have we freely given with generous hearts? Do we offer our assistance when others ask? You see, Lazarus in the story is a symbol of those in our world who need our help. And the rich man... well, the rich man doesn’t even have a name. For all his wealth and fame in the world, his name is forgotten, not to be found in the Book of Life in heaven.

The Church is concerned about the Lazarus’ in the world. Coming this November, many of us will have an opportunity to vote. But, we are warned not to vote for our own individual needs while forgetting others. Rather, we are being called to recognize the common good using the moral priorities the Bishops have offered us in their recent document entitled, Faithful Citizenship.

These priorities challenge us not to forget the value of human life. There are many things that threaten it: terror, war, violence, disease, abortion, euthanasia, and capital punishment just to name a few. We are being called to promote family life by protecting marriage, family life, the workplace, fair taxes, welfare, promoting the common good in radio, television, and the Internet. We are to pursue social justice by reflecting God’s special concern for the poor and vulnerable. We are to promote policies that don’t undermine the dignity of people. We are to support policies that create jobs with a living wage and decent working conditions. We are to promote equal pay for men and women, affirm the right for people to join unions, and exercise their human rights without reprisal. We are to help provide the basic financial needs of poor families while protecting their dignity. We are to promote efforts that offer ways that put an end to the cycle of poverty by encouraging dignity and responsibility. Tax credits, health care, child care, and safe, affordable housing are the responsibilities of all Catholic Christians. We need to support efforts to create safe and affordable housing. Food should be available to all and workers should be protected from exploitation. We need to preserve the safety of all and remove the root causes of poverty. The abuse of migrant workers and the protection of human rights for immigrants working in our country must be preserved. Opportunities for decent education as well as funding for our schools is needed. Discrimination based on sex, race, ethnicity, disabling condition, or age must be resisted.

We must expand our concerns for the people of all the earth. We live in a world where one-fifth of the population lives on $1 per day, a world where 20 countries are involved in some kind of armed conflict. We must do something to address the scandal of poverty and underdevelopment. When disasters of nature destroy the lives of others, we are being called to offer assistance in places like Florida and the South East, but also Haiti and the Bahamas. Where there are man-made disasters, we are called join to solve the problems, as complex as they may be, in Iraq, the Middle East, the Sudan, the Congo, India, and Central America. As the world’s only superpower, we have an opportunity to make a difference for the Lazarus’ of the world.

All these issues may seem overwhelming, and we may be tempted to just give up or turn our back on things we feel we cannot help. Yet, this coming election is an opportunity to put your views into action. On our web site, we have a very informative section on voting. Check it out. Educate yourself. Maybe you are not even registered to vote. The deadline to register is close. Luckily, after every Mass there is a table where you can register to vote. In other words, there is no excuse not to be part of the democratic process whereby you can vote with your faith as a Catholic Christian. So, if you are registered, vote. If not, get registered.

While all these issues loom large, we can exercise our giving and helping spirit here at St. Anthony’s. You can make a point of welcoming those around you each time you come to church. You can make an effort to get involved in some ministry or activity this year. You can commit financially to the ministries here each week by pledging a particular amount to the weekly collection. This week you can make an effort to come take part in the Mexican Dinner to help our Hispanic Ministry. The opportunity to respond to Jesus’ story is before you this very weekend.

Many people will come to share in the meal, many you know and many you don’t know. Will you reach out to someone new? Will you try to engage in a conversation with someone of a different nationality or ethnicity? Or will your fear keep you away? Your choice is before you. Will you share the wealth of your heart or hoard it? After Mass, I offer you this challenge: Say hello to a fellow parishioner who is different than you, someone who may speak a different language and struggles to speak English. And if, by chance, someone approaches you, will you ignore them like the rich man did to Lazarus? This event is your opportunity. Today is the day to show the quality of your heart. After Mass, go and share your wealth. You might just meet Lazarus.