THE LORD CARES FOR THE POOR AND OPPRESSED
Blessed 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time to you. How was your week? Did you experience in a deeper way God’s great love for you & His desire for you that you gain the eternal life in Jesus, whom He sent (cf John 3:15-16 – last Sunday’s Gospel)?
This week’s readings remind us that the Lord loves the poor, afflicted, distressed & oppressed. Our 1st Reading from Amos 8:4-7 warns those of us in positions of authority not to trample, cheat, bully, manipulate or take advantage of persons in our charge, & tells us that God sees it all & will hold us accountable for these actions against justice & right. Simply put, we won’t get away with it!
This message is delivered to me loudly & clearly! Before I started to write this article on Tue 9 Sep, when praying the Afternoon Prayer (None) of the Divine Office (Tuesday Psalter Week 3), the Scripture Reading for this day & time jumped off the screen & immediately caught my attention. Here it is:
“Because a man is poor, do not therefore cheat him, nor, at the city gate, oppress anybody in affliction; for the Lord takes up their cause, and extorts the life of their extortioners.”(Proverbs 22:22-23)
And the Responsory to the Word reinforces the message:
℣. The Lord will save the needy, who are helpless.
℟. He will save the lives of the poor.
Do you think God is trying to tell me something here? Of course – He’s saying to me: “Treat others with love, care & respect; don’t be mean, nasty, manipulative & judgemental; don’t be a ‘dictator of anyone who is placed in your care but be a good example for all to follow’ (cf 1 Peter 5:3).” What about you? Is the Lord trying to speak to you too?
Our Responsorial Psalm from Psalm 113 reiterates the message, particularly Verses 7-8: “From the dust he lifts up the lowly, from the dungheap he raises the poor; to set him in the company of princes, yes, with the princes of his people.” So, we all (especially the weak & oppressed) can confidently sing the Response “Praise the Lord, who raises the poor” (cf Psalm 113:7).
In our 2nd Reading today, St Paul urges us all to offer prayers for all, especially for ‘kings & others in authority’ (cf 1 Tomothy 2:1). It’s vital that we offer up petitions, intercession & thanksgiving for our leaders & those who exercise authority – the Pope, Bishops, Priests, Leaders of Church Ministries, CEOs of Companies, Managers & Supervisors of Departments, Parents, Teachers etc – that they (& we) may lead with love, care & respect & follow the servant leadership example of Jesus.
Let’s turn our attention now to our Gospel today from Luke 16:1-13 & see how it ties in with our message today. It’s an unusual parable in that there is no “good guy” with obvious exemplary traits to follow. Instead, the dishonest steward is commended & praised. Does Jesus really approve of dishonesty, ‘creative accounting’, fraud & cheating? Of course not! In fact, in Verse 13 of the Gospel today, Jesus warns all of us to beware of the inordinate desire for wealth that could lead us down the rabbit hole of dishonest, fraudulent & selfish behaviours. Instead, what the Lord is saying is this: The steward employed prudence & summoned the best of his creativity, influence, shrewdness & astuteness, as a “child of the world”, to solve a problem & meet a need (though it was a selfish one, as he was looking to save his own skin). Can we, as “children of light”, learn how to deploy our prudence & good judgement to build God’s kingdom & serve others with love? Can we prudently use the material goods, gifts & talents, that God has entrusted to us in the best way possible? And, linking back to today’s theme, what about the people that the Lord has given us charge of? Can we exercise prudence & sound judgement in leading & guiding them, caring for them, showing them respect & honour & helping to bring out the best of their skills & abilities to glorify God?
A word of encouragement to those who are currently oppressed & afflicted. Trust that the Lord looks out for you & cares for you. I’m prompted to share this beautiful word from Psalm 72:12-14: “For he delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence he redeems their life; and precious is their blood in his sight.”
To end today’s reflection, here’s 3 Master Keys from the Lord in how we can press on ahead with life, whatever our life situations are. I’m taking this from the Prophet Micah Chapter 6 Verse 8. It goes: “He has told you, O mortal, 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?” And here’s a hymn we sing at Mass occasionally, titled “We Are Called”, emphasizing the 3 Master Keys. Enjoy singing the hymn 😉
https://youtu.be/ITJYbi6b0e8?si=Eh-jDfo6XWG7oJ5R&t=49
Article by Damian Boon, HFC Blog Team Lead