“Seeking to be more other-centred and heaven-oriented!”

(Based on Amos 6:1a, 4-7, 1 Tim 6:11-16 and Lk 16:19-31 – 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C)

Schindler’s List is a 1993 American epic historical period drama film, which received 7 Oscar awards.

This movie is based on the true story of a Catholic businessman, Oskar Schindler, who lived in Poland during the 2nd World War.

After a life of initial notoriety, in which he made a lot of money, by betraying his own people, Schindler, later realized the horrors of the Nazi rule.

He began to use his wealth and influence…
… to save Jews from the holocaust.

By the end of the war, he was reduced to having very little money
But in the process, had managed to save hundreds of Jews from being killed.

The last scene of the movie depicts, Schindler being thanked by the people whom he had saved.

But suddenly, Schindler began to weep!

Looking around at the people who were rescued, he exclaimed: “I could have done so much more!”

Holding up his gold watch, he moaned, “This could have bought someone’s freedom!”

He wished that he could have started sooner in helping people so that many more could have been rescued!

His self-centeredness had caused failure in saving many more people!

It was an agonizing experience of the negative effects of “indifference in life” and the “sin of omission!”

We need to examine our life and check:

Am I a person who misses out on doing the good we can?
Do I fail to reach out to the needy, even though I am able?
Has self-centredness become a way of life for me?

The Gospel of the Day is a powerful message to look deeper into these aspects of our life…
… and seek to be more other-centred and heaven-oriented!

The parable of the rich man “who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day,” and of Lazarus, “full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores” (Cf. Lk 16:19-21)
… is a remarkable story that challenges us to get out of our “zones of comfort and indifference!”

The ways of the world constantly allure us…
… to be “clothed in purple and fine linen” (Lk 16:19) and to be self-centred: An attitude of just going about with our business and not considering other’s needs
… to be “feasting sumptuously” (Lk 16:19) and to look to only one’s own comforts and needs: An attitude of not caring about others, when I have my own cares to be attended to!
… to be neglecting “a poor man, lying at the gate” (Lk 16:20) and to avoid the cry of the needy: An attitude of wilfully rejecting the ones who extend their hands for help and assistance!

But the Christian way of life is a challenge to this “rich man’s style of living”

There can be no excuse given to us…
… if we miss out on doing the good we can!
… if we fail to reach out to the needy, even though we are able!
… if self-centeredness has become a way of life for us!

Time is short, and our life is limited!

Prophet Amos, in the First Reading, very powerfully warns and reminds all those who are complacent and lethargic: “Woe to the complacent in Zion!

Lying upon beds of ivory…
… stretched comfortably on their couches
… they eat lambs taken from the flock, and calves from the stall!” (Amos 6:1a)

And as St Paul exhorts, let us always pursue righteousness and holiness of life:
“But you, man of God, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.

Compete well for the faith.
Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called…
… when you made the noble confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 Tim 6:11-12)

Let us begin today, with no further delay…
To do the good we can…
… in the best way we can!
… to all the people we are able!
… in every situation that is possible!

So that we would not have to regretfully say “I could have done so much more!”

Let our lives be totally offered to the Lord, Who alone is the source of every Goodness and Mercy.

Let us seek to be more other-centred and heaven-oriented!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE EUCHARIST IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – The sacrificial memorial of Christ and of his Body, the Church

The Eucharist is also the sacrifice of the Church.
The Church which is the Body of Christ participates in the offering of her Head.
With Him, she herself is offered whole and entire.
She unites herself to his intercession with the Father for all men.
In the Eucharist, the sacrifice of Christ becomes also the sacrifice of the members of his Body.
The lives of the faithful, their praise, sufferings, prayer, and work, are united with those of Christ and with his total offering, and so acquire a new value.
Christ’s sacrifice present on the altar makes it possible for all generations of Christians to be united with His offering.
In the catacombs, the Church is often represented as a woman in prayer, arms outstretched in the praying position.

Like Christ who stretched out his arms on the cross, through Him, with Him, and in Him, she offers herself and intercedes for all men. (CCC #1368)