Jesus gives us a warning not to neglect the poor through the story of Lazarus and the rich man. Br. Ken Homan, SJ, reminds us to keep this in mind with migrants and refugees in this week’s One-Minute Homily. Prepared for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees and based on the readings for Sunday, September 29, 2019.
God knows the names of the poor – do you? Hi, I’m Br. Ken, and this is my One-Minute Reflection.
In today’s Gospel, we know the name Lazarus. But we don’t know the name of the rich man. Jesus essentially warns the crowds, “Ignore the poor at your own risk.” The Gospel condemns building wealth while shunning the poor. The consequences are terrible. The first reading is just as harsh.
Today, the Church celebrates the World Day of Migrants and Refugees. Migrants and refugees face incredible hardships like xenophobia and poverty. We might reframe the Gospel question. Do we know the names of and care for migrants and refugees in our communities? The readings, Pope Francis, and the Church encourage us to know and serve migrants. Thankfully, the Psalms tells us exactly how: feed the hungry, set the captives free, raise up the bowed down, and protect strangers.
