Sunday between 25 September and 1 October    

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

First Reading - Amos 6.1,4-7

A reading from the book of the prophet Amos. Leaders of the nation - all of Israel looks to you! In Jerusalem you take your rest; in Samaria you feel secure. You lounge on your couches made of ivory. You feast on veal and lamb. You make music, and sing your idle songs. You anoint yourselves with oil, and drink wine by the bowl. And you are unmoved by the destruction that has come upon the tribes of the north. So hear this, you leaders of the nation: your revelry will end when you are the first to be taken away into exile! This is the word of the Lord.

Second Reading - 1 Timothy 6.6-12a,17-19

A reading from the first letter of Paul to Timothy. We brought nothing into the world, and we take nothing out. So if we have food, and clothing, let us be content with that. For true riches are to be found in godliness combined with contentment. Those who long to be rich in this world fall into temptation, and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. The love of worldly wealth is the root of all manner of evil; pulling people away from the faith, and repeatedly causing them pain and distress. So flee from all this, and instead seek righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Work always to be strong in the faith, holding fast to the eternal life to which you are called.

As for those of you who are wealthy in this present age: do not be arrogant, and do not look for security in the uncertainty of riches; but find your security in God, for it is God who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. By generosity, and sharing, be rich in good works; and from this foundation, hold fast to the life that is truly life. This is the word of the Lord.

Gospel - Luke 16.13b-15,19-31

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. The Pharisees loved their worldly riches. They mocked Jesus, when they heard him say that you cannot serve both God and worldly wealth. Jesus said to them, ‘You make yourselves look righteous to others, but God sees your heart; and the things that you value, God despises. And he told them this parable. ‘There was a rich man, dressed in purple, and fine linen, feasting, and living in luxury, every day. At his gate lay a poor man, called Lazarus, hungry, and ready to eat whatever scraps fell from the rich man’s table; and the dogs would come, and lick his sores. Now the poor man died, and was carried away by the angels, to be with Abraham. The rich man also died, and was buried; and from his great suffering, in the place of the dead, he looked up, and saw Abraham, far away, and Lazarus at his side; and he called out, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me! I beg you, send Lazarus, to dip the tip of his finger in water, to cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames!” But Abraham said, “My son, you received good things in your life, while Lazarus knew only suffering. And now, he is comforted here, while you suffer. And a deep chasm lies between there and here, that no one can cross.” He replied, “Then I beg you, send Lazarus to warn my five brothers, so that they will not come to this place of torment.” Abraham said, “They have Moses, and the prophets. They should listen to them.” He replied, “But father Abraham, they will listen if someone is sent to them from the dead.” But Abraham said, “If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not believe even if someone rises from the dead.”’ This is the Gospel of the Lord.