26th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Faith Demands Action

The Catholic Mass readings for September 28, 2025, the Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, offer a powerful reflection on justice, compassion, and the call to live a life of faith that actively responds to the needs of others. The readings are Amos 6:1a, 4-7; Psalm 146:7, 8-9, 9-10; 1 Timothy 6:11-16; and Luke 16:19-31. Below is a reflection based on these readings.

The readings for the Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time challenge us to examine our priorities and how we respond to the suffering around us. They call us to move beyond complacency and self-interest, urging us to live with justice, mercy, and fidelity to God’s commandments.

The first reading from Amos 6:1a, 4-7 delivers a stark warning to those who live in comfort while ignoring the suffering of others. The prophet Amos condemns the wealthy who indulge in luxury—lying on ivory beds, feasting on fine foods, and drinking wine from bowls—while remaining indifferent to the "collapse of Joseph," a reference to the suffering of God’s people. Their self-absorption leads to exile, a consequence of their failure to heed God’s call to justice. This reading reminds us that wealth and comfort are not inherently wrong, but they become sinful when they blind us to the needs of the poor and vulnerable. It prompts us to ask: Are we aware of the suffering around us, or are we too comfortable in our own lives to notice?

The responsorial Psalm 146:7, 8-9, 9-10 echoes this theme of God’s care for the marginalized. It praises the Lord who “secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry,” and “sets prisoners free.” The psalm invites us to align our hearts with God’s heart, to see the world through His eyes, and to act with compassion toward those in need. It’s a call to trust in God’s faithfulness and to participate in His mission of lifting up the lowly.

In the second reading, 1 Timothy 6:11-16, Paul exhorts Timothy to pursue “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness” and to “fight the good fight of faith.” This passage emphasizes the active nature of Christian life. Faith is not passive; it requires us to strive for virtue and to remain faithful to God’s commandments until Christ’s return. Paul’s charge to Timothy is a reminder that our faith must shape our actions, directing us toward a life of integrity and service, even in the face of worldly temptations or distractions.

The Gospel from Luke 16:19-31, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, brings these themes into sharp focus. The rich man, who lives in luxury, ignores Lazarus, a poor man covered in sores lying at his gate. Both die, and their fates are reversed: Lazarus is carried to Abraham’s bosom, while the rich man suffers in torment. The rich man’s sin is not his wealth but his indifference—he fails to see or help Lazarus, despite his obvious need. The parable underscores that faith demands action. As Abraham tells the rich man, his brothers have “Moses and the prophets” to guide them, yet they, like the rich man, risk ignoring God’s call to compassion. Even a dramatic sign, like someone rising from the dead, will not convince those who harden their hearts.

This parable challenges us to reflect on who the “Lazarus” figures are in our lives—those we might overlook because of our busyness, comfort, or self-centeredness. It calls us to open our eyes and hearts to the poor, the marginalized, and the suffering, recognizing that our response to them reflects our relationship with God. The readings together remind us that Christian discipleship is not just about personal piety but about living out God’s justice and mercy in tangible ways.

Purgatory in Light of the Readings: The Gospel’s depiction of the rich man’s torment and Lazarus’ rest in Abraham’s bosom invites reflection on the Catholic teaching of purgatory. Purgatory is a state of purification for those who die in God’s grace but are not yet fully perfected in love and holiness (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1030-1032). The rich man’s suffering in the Gospel, while traditionally understood as a depiction of hell, can also prompt us to consider the purifying suffering of purgatory for those who have lived imperfectly but are still destined for heaven. Unlike the rich man, whose fate seems fixed due to his unrepentant indifference, souls in purgatory are assured of salvation but undergo cleansing to prepare for the fullness of God’s presence. This teaching reminds us of God’s mercy, offering hope that our imperfections can be purified through His grace. The parable also underscores the urgency of living justly and compassionately in this life, as our choices have eternal consequences. 

We are called to pray for the souls in purgatory, especially through acts of charity and offering Masses, trusting that God’s mercy continues to work in their purification. This connects to the readings’ emphasis on justice and compassion, urging us to act now to alleviate suffering, both for the living and for those in purgatory who rely on our prayers.These readings call us to conversion—to turn away from selfishness and toward a life of generosity, compassion, and fidelity to God’s will. We might ask: How do I respond to the needs around me? Am I complacent, like the wealthy in Amos’ time, or indifferent, like the rich man? Do I pursue the virtues Paul describes? The call to pray for the souls in purgatory further deepens our responsibility to live in solidarity with others, both in this life and beyond.

As we reflect on these readings, we might ask ourselves: How do I respond to the needs around me? Am I complacent, like the wealthy in Amos’ time, or indifferent, like the rich man in the Gospel? Do I pursue the virtues Paul describes, actively seeking to live out my faith? The readings call us to conversion—to turn away from selfishness and toward a life of generosity, compassion, and fidelity to God’s will.

Prayer: Lord, open my eyes to see those in need around me. Grant me a heart of compassion and the courage to act with justice and love. Help me to pursue righteousness and godliness, trusting in Your grace to guide me. May I live each day in a way that honors You and lifts up the poor and suffering. Amen.