26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, year C

Amos 6: 1a. 4-7

Thus says the LORD the God of hosts: 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! Improvising to the music of the harp, like David, they devise their own accompaniment. They drink wine from bowls and anoint themselves with the best oils; yet they are not made ill by the collapse of Joseph! Therefore, now they shall be the first to go into exile, and their wanton revelry shall be done away with.

Psalm 146: 7-10

Blessed he who keeps faith forever,

secures justice for the oppressed,

gives food to the hungry.

The LORD sets captives free.

The LORD gives sight to the blind;

the LORD raises up those who were bowed down.

The LORD loves the just;

the LORD protects strangers.

The fatherless and the widow he sustains,

but the way of the wicked he thwarts.

The LORD shall reign forever;

your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.

1 Timothy 6: 11-16

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. I charge you before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who gave testimony under Pontius Pilate for the noble confession, to keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ that the blessed and only ruler will make manifest at the proper time, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, and whom no human being has seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal power. Amen.

Luke 16: 19-31

Jesus said to the Pharisees: "There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man's table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.' Abraham replied, 'My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.' He said, 'Then I beg you, father, send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.' But Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.' He said, 'Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' Then Abraham said, 'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'"

Questions:

- It is written in the book of Psalms: “The LORD gives sight to the blind; the LORD raises up those who were bowed down. The LORD loves the just.” – When the Church proclaims someone as a saint, one of the conditions (except for martyrs) is that God healed someone miraculously after the saint’s intercession was asked for the sick person. How do I understand the connection between a saintly life and miracles? Do I believe that God can perform miracles in my life too? How do I pray for those I know who are sick?

- It is written in the First Letter to Timothy: “But you, man of God, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.” – What are the virtues which I perceive in myself? What are my weaknesses? How can I develop the virtues I lack?

- It is written in the Gospel: “Then Abraham said, 'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'” – Why does Abraham say that the rich man “did not listen to the Torah and the prophets”? How would he have acted differently if he had listened to them? And me – how often do I read the Torah and the prophets? How can the Old Testament help us understand the teachings of Jesus Christ?

Questions for children:

- It is written in the book of Psalms: “The LORD gives sight to the blind; the LORD raises up those who were bowed down. The LORD loves the just.” – Can I give an example of a miracle that happened after a saint prayed for it during his life? How do I understand the connection between a saintly life and miracles? Do I believe that God can perform miracles in my life too?

- It is written in the First Letter to Timothy: “But you, man of God, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.” – What do I think about the virtues that the Apostle Saul writes about? Is it worthwhile to be righteous, devoted, faithful, loving, patient and gentle? If I meet a child or adult with these qualities, do they seem naïve, or do I admire them? What are the qualities I would like in a friend? In myself?

- It is written in the Gospel: “Then Abraham said, 'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'” –Why does Abraham say that the rich man “did not listen to the Torah and the prophets”? How would he have acted differently if he had listened to them? And me – how do I relate to Old Testament lessons in a school? What is the importance of the Torah and the prophets in the life of Jesus and his disciples? How are they relevant for us today?