Compete Well for the Faith

What an incredible God we have! In today's responsorial psalm, Psalm 146, we praised God as the  One who sets captives free, gives sight to the blind, gives food to the hungry, raises up those who are depressed, loves the just, protects strangers, sustains those who are widowed or orphaned, and blocks the way of the wicked.

We might take the time today to reflect on how God has done these things for ourselves.   How has god fed our hunger for Him, for strength to endure a difficult situation at work, in our homes, concerning our health? How often has God not lifted up up in down times?  How often have you or I been in need for being set free from an addiction that led to our neglect our families: our children or grandchildren, our spouse, our elderly parents, or our fellow Sisters/Brothers in a religious community?

St. Paul, in today's second reading, 1 Timothy 6: 121-16, urges us to ";pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Compete well for the faith,"  St. Paul says to us.  If that would have been the goal of the rich man in today's Gospel, Luke 16: 19-31, he certainly would have not ended up as he did when he entered eternal life. Caught up in, addicted to, good times, good food and the comforts his wealth afforded him, he neglected the poor, and, in particular, a sick man named Lazarus "lying at his door...covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man's table."

For what am I competing?  For that which is just? To what am I devoted: my family, my fellow community members, especially those who are significantly limited by physical and cognitive limitations?   Am I competing to increase my patience with others' and my own weaknesses, limitations, imperfections?  Am I growing in love, in devotedness to those in need, in being gentle in the face of life's harsh moments? Or do I escape these faith challenges by "gluing" myself to computer games, gambling trips, excessive and unnecessary shopping, nonstop TV watching or other distractions?

Lord, help us to take the words of these Scriptures seriously and have the change of heart that we need!