WwtW: God moves us to compassion through the inspiration of prophets

A day late, but here's this week's Wednesdays with the Word Bible Study notes.  Ordinary Time, Year C, Week 26.

1^st Reading:    Amos 6:1a, 4-7

Context.          Amos is the first of the “classical prophets” (ie. those who left a book).  Himself a Southerner, he prophesied at Bethel, a cultic center in the Northern Kingdom in the early to mid 8^th Century.  This was a time of great material prosperity for Israel, but also social and religious corruption.  Amos is a book of judgment; we will have to wait until later prophets to get the hope of restoration after punishment.  The hypocrisy of ‘correct’ worship while oppressing the poor is condemned – it is not right worship.  This reading is part of Amos’ attempt to break through the complacency of the comfortable: God is coming, get ready!

Interpretation. This passage has been described as “a lament over people who can see nothing about which to lament.”  The reason to lament over them is made clear in the skipped v. 3: “you dismiss (the notion) of a Day of Destruction, but you set up for yourselves a rule of violence!”  What we hear described are their lavish banquets, with so much wine that they need bowls (rather than cups) to drink out of.  They are spiritually drunk and insensitive to what is going on around them.  The worst fate they worry about is becoming sick because of drinking too much.  Instead what should be making them sick is anguish over what is happening to Israel (represented by Joseph).

Gospel:           Luke 16:19-31

Context.           We continue Jesus’ long journey to Jerusalem (9:51-19:48; Wks 13-31), and the section of it which is an extended response to the question “who will be saved?”  (13:10-17:10; Wks 21-27).  He is concerned to form community and set boundaries, but in a completely topsy-turvy way that will confound any sense of privilege.  Jesus addresses this parable, his second in a row about money, to some Pharisees who he identifies as “lovers of money” (v. 14).

Interpretation.  The Pharisees have accused Jesus of ignoring the Law in his table fellowship with unclean outcasts and sinners; in this story, Jesus counters, “No, you have ignored the Law in loving money more than your neighbor in need.”  The contrast between the two men is vividly painted, in terms of clothing, food and abode.  After death, we see the reversal that Jesus spoke of in his beatitudes and woes (Lk 6:20-26, wk 6).  Lazarus and the rich man are again in the same place (named Hades), but experience it variously as bliss or torment.  The one who never gave alms now asks for mercy (same root in Greek).  He is refused: the gate that could have traversed wasn’t, so now it is un-crossable.  Our text from Amos is one that should have woken the man’s brothers up, another would be Amos 5:15 which speaks of justice “at the gate.”  This reading closing lamenting that some people will reject even Jesus’ resurrection.

Questions

1.      “Sin is not crying when someone else cuts their finger” (John Cavadini paraphrasing St. Augustine).  How compassionate are people today about the suffering of others?  What can numb them?  What can wake them up?

2.      Pope Paul VI enjoined the method “See, judge, act” on the Church.  He began with “see,” because people are often simply unaware of problems around us.  Our Holy Cross Constitutions have a similar idea: “For the kingdom to come, disciples need the competence to see and the courage to act.”  Who do we see?  Who do we overlook?

3.      Where does the rich man go wrong?  What should he have done differently?

4.      What has the Bible (“Moses and the prophets”) persuaded you of?