Eternal life is not found in material possessions or in political philosophies, but in actively pursuing life in Jesus Christ. Today’s reflection reminds us that we are called to see and serve those around us with compassion, living out Christ’s teachings in our communities.

September 28, 2025: Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Amos 6:1a, 4–7
Psalm 146:7–10
1 Timothy 6:11–16
Luke 16:19–31

Escaping Indifference

A reflection by Ann Penick

The readings today teach us to care about what happens to others. Jesus tells us that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, mind, and soul, and to love your neighbor as yourself.

The first reading from Amos is about our Hebrew ancestors in faith who lived in Zion. There were some who did not care that part of their people were destroyed and taken away. The prophet Amos condemned the complacency and the injustice of the rich and powerful who turned a blind eye to the suffering of others in their community, and warned that their feasting and love of luxury would be replaced by exile and mourning. Amos challenges us to recognize the responsibility of caring for the vulnerable and for those in need, not just giving from our abundance, but coupling it with compassion.

In the second reading from 1 Timothy, Paul’s advice to Timothy is “to pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience and gentleness.” Timothy is urged to personalize these values and remain faithful until Christ’s coming.

The gospel reading from Luke also warns against placing wealth above all else. The parable centers on the story of the rich man and Lazarus, warning against the danger of becoming complacent in one’s wealth and ignoring the calls for compassion for the poor. We are to be attentive to God and live out our faith justly with love.
Two things to remember about parables is that they are tricky, and they are stories, not histories. They are stories revealing deep truths–not just for us, but for everyone.

The parable is about the rich man who lived a lavish lifestyle but ignored the poor beggar Lazarus at his gate. It is not so much about his wealth, but his failure to share it and his indifference to Lazarus’ plight. After death, their positions reverse, with Lazarus in comfort and the rich man in torment. It emphasizes how our earthly actions have eternal consequences. The “Chasm” after death symbolizes missed opportunities to help others and serve God.

We have to remember who Jesus is speaking to here. It is to the Pharisees–and a particular group of Pharisees–who not only had money, but loved money as the most important part of their lives. It was to them that this parable is directed. Notice that Jesus said nothing to these Pharisees about the rich man being good, bad, or indifferent. He did not say that the rich man was wrong in dressing the way he did. Nor did Jesus say Lazarus was a noble poor man. He just says he was a man at the gate who was so poor that the dogs came and licked his sores as his only comfort.

Jesus’ parable shows us that we have poor people living on our door step, but walk right by them, pretending we do not notice. Yet Jesus also teaches we can learn how to see them and how best to respond.
Real faith does not stop with piety, but is to be lived out in actions that reflect God’s inclusionary love for all. Ask yourself: am I living a life of complacency, or am I aware of those in need around me? What practical steps can I take to be more generous and live more justly? What am I willing to set aside because it is a barrier preventing me from fully living out the gospel?

How can we do this? We can build awareness of our personal and communal blind spots. We can do this with prayer, listening, reading, and reflection, so as to become more attuned to the suffering of those around us. We can look for volunteer opportunities to make a difference.

Eternal life is not found in material possessions or in political philosophies, but in actively pursuing life in Jesus Christ. It starts with our embrace of God’s love and love of neighbor. We are not to neglect the poor and suffering while living in our abundance. Faith requires compassion and care for those in need.

We can ask God to show us a way to love more completely all those who come into our lives. We can ask God to enlighten our minds and our hearts so that we may live God’s love more fully.

The first step: know your need for God and know your need for each other. You have been placed in this world to use the gifts God has given you through your time, talent, and treasure. Learn how to love the way Jesus loves.

A disciple seeks to live out Christ’s teachings, not to become Jesus’ number one fan. These Sunday readings call us to be more than fans of Jesus. They call us to become disciples who live a life of faith, love, and compassion.

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Ann Penick is originally from the Chicago area. She now lives in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Ann was ordained a priest with Roman Catholic Womenpriests in 2011. Ann has been serving the faith communities of Dignity Washington and Northern Virginia Dignity as one of their presiders since 2017. She also served on the board of DignityUSA. In addition she has been pastoring a faith community of young families in Washington D.C. since 2013.