Are we comfortable? Are we well fed? Are we focused on our personal enjoyment and advancement? Are we complacent? Amos does not withhold his chastisements. As with last week’s Gospel, we cannot serve two masters. The readings the past few weeks, if you have noticed, have shifted to prepare us for the end of ordinary times, which also focuses us on the end of our time on earth. Are we ready? Are we strong enough? Are we prepared?
Paul challenges us to pursue our faith. Do we compete to win earthly treasures or do we compete well “for the faith”. Are we willing to follow the difficult path, or do we choose the simple or easy one? Do we train ourselves to win the everlasting glory, or the earthly glory as though there is no everlasting one?
I have heard many people say, “If I saw the miracles of Jesus, I would have believed.” Just as those who say there is no God and no Resurrection might say, “if someone appeared from the dead, I would believe.” The Gospel points out such is false thinking. We have been given the truth, but we prefer the secular lies. We have had God’s word given to us, but we prefer the words of men and women.
We convince ourselves that God loves us just the way we are. The rich man thought he could do whatever he desired because God had blessed him with abundance. He sought comfort here on earth, as many people do, while he ignored the suffering of those around him. In what ways are we like the Rich man?
Countenance of God 