26th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
September 25, 2022

Society has many unique expressions. Take the U.S. Army’s recruiting slogan: “Be all that you can be.” These words encourage us not to be content, but rather work hard in order to maximize our potential. Another expression: “the early bird gets the worm.” If we begin first, the benefits will be ours.

Christian expressions are also common: “live simply, so others may simply live.” “If you want peace, work for justice.” All these expressions varied though they may be, have 1 common denominator; they tell us that we cannot be satisfied with ourselves or with the world around us. In other words, we cannot be complacent.

Now a complacent person is not necessarily evil. Rather, a complacent person is merely someone who through fear, dissatisfaction, or lack of motivation has chosen to stay in the status quo. Complacent people choose to stay put – yet they can miss some of the greatest opportunities from God.

Our readings today contract the biblical views of complacency and an exhortation to action. Amos condemns those in society without oppress the poor and those on the fringes. Their complacency has reached a sinful stage. Amos warns they will be the first to go into exile.
In the gospel, the rich man is not outwardly an evil person. But his inattention to his neighbor has placed him in the flames of torture. St. Paul exhortation in action. Need to seek after faith, piety, integrity, steadfastness, and love. Once we find these gifts, we can seek and grasp the prize of life  - eternal life.