Archives for September 2016

This Sunday we hear the prophet Habakkuk bemoan the serious troubles of his day. They include violence, ruin, destruction, misery, strife, discord. His list resembles our list today. We would add gun violence, hatred, racism, bigotry, terrorism. It is important for Habakkuk and us to acknowledge and name these realities that fly in the face of the design and hope that God has for us human beings.

 God responds to Habakkuk and us: “The vision still has its time.” It is the vision of Paradise in Genesis where the beauty, order, harmony, and goodness of creation are evident. It is the vision of the peaceable Kingdom in Isaiah where predators and prey in nature live together in peaceful oneness. It is the vision of Martin Luther King who announced, “I have a dream!” His vision of an end to racism as well as equality and freedom for all continues to be a work in progress.

 How does God’s vision for us human beings give you hope? What helps you to do your part in bringing this vision to fulfillment?  

In today’s gospel we hear the haunting story of the rich man who does nothing to help Lazarus at his doorstep. He was starving and covered with sores. It was only a short physical distance from one side of the door to the other. But there was a huge chasm between his heart and making a step to help Lazarus. There was also a great chasm between the two in death.

The purpose of the parable is to inspire us to do everything we can to bridge such chasms in our society. We do this bridging through our own generous and loving care, by being advocates for the poor, when we become informed about social issues, and when we vote responsibly. Our Sister Parish relationship with St. Rose of Lima in Gris Gris, Haiti, is a positive example of the bridging that is possible.

What “chasms” do you notice in our society? How is your heart stirred with compassion and mercy to bridge the gap?