Commentary on the Gospel of September 28, 2025

“They have Moses and the prophets: let them listen to them.”

Dear brothers and sisters, peace and goodness to you.

Last week, the prophet Amos spoke against unjust merchants—those who served money before God, forgetting the time that should be dedicated to the Lord. Today, the ones “criticized” are those who feel self-secure, thinking themselves righteous, very pleased with their own importance. They were convinced that wealth was a sign of God’s blessing.

There was a time when people thought God was on the side of the rich: well-being, luck, and abundance were considered signs of His favor. The first time the Hebrew word for “silver” or “money” appears in the Bible, it is about Abraham: “Abram had many flocks, silver, and gold.” Isaac sowed in the land and that same year harvested one hundredfold. Jacob had countless possessions: “oxen, donkeys, flocks, male and female servants.” The psalmist even promises the just man: “Wealth and riches are in his house” (Ps 112:3).

Poverty, on the other hand, was seen as a curse. It was thought to be the result of laziness or idleness: “A little sleep, a little rest, a little folding of the arms to lie back, and poverty will come upon you like a vagabond, want like an armed man” (Prov 24:33-34).

The prophets slowly began to warn that not every means of becoming rich is acceptable. Solidarity and justice must never be forgotten. That is why Amos speaks today against those who think they are saved simply because they have accumulated many goods. God does not want the unjust division between rich and poor to last forever.

Amos denounces false security in wealth. Trust in the city of Jerusalem, which seemed impossible to conquer, and trust in luxury, perfumes, fine food… But this comfort does not prevent disaster. Violence was being prepared. The punishment would be exile.

To be ready and not fall into laziness, Paul exhorts Timothy in the second reading to remain firm in the faith and the teaching he had received from the Apostle to the Gentiles. After being ordained as pastor of the community, Timothy hears a whole list of virtues, necessary to be a good servant of the Gospel.

At that time, the worship of emperors was widespread. Perhaps that is why Paul makes a strong statement about Jesus, the blessed and only Sovereign, King of kings and Lord of lords, the One who alone can give true joy and salvation to all who remain faithful to Him. In our own time, so full of idols, this reminder is still needed.

Paul also warns about false teachings that can enter the Christian community. That is why he calls Timothy to keep the Gospel pure, without stain, as it was first announced to him. Today there are many schools that offer methods to reach inner peace or nirvana, but there is only one Teacher who gives salvation: the Lord Jesus. Certain practices coming from the East can sometimes help us relax, for example before prayer; but behind them there is often a philosophy that is not compatible with the Catholic faith.

Do you remember? Last Sunday’s Gospel ended with Jesus saying: “You cannot serve God and money.” That Gospel connects with today’s. In between, there are a few verses that explain the context. The next verse says that some Pharisees, who loved money, heard this and mocked Him. They thought of themselves as righteous and laughed at Jesus. That is why He tells them this parable—to answer their mocking and to show a very different image of God: a God who does not accept the rich man’s indifference toward poor Lazarus, a God who stands with the poor.

Jesus also said: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me.” God has totally identified Himself with the poorest and most needy of our world. So this Gospel is not far from our own reality. It is not an exaggeration. The tragedy of hunger is still unsolved, and we are still surrounded by “Lazaruses” who, if they are lucky, eat only the crumbs that fall from our tables. In his message for World Food Day, 21 years ago, Saint John Paul II wrote: “How will history judge a generation that has all the means to feed the whole world, yet refuses to do so because of blind selfishness?” Sadly, little has changed.

This must not only move our hearts, but also move us to action and commitment. God’s Word remains the true measure for a real conversion of our hearts and of our attitudes toward the poor. “If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.”

Many commentators call this parable “the parable of the five brothers.” The rich man, now in torment, worries because he has felt in his own body what hell means. Just this past Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV said: “Hell, in the biblical sense, is not so much a place as an existential condition. A condition where life is weakened, and pain, loneliness, guilt, and separation from God and from others reign.” The brother who experienced in his own body the pain of God’s absence did not want his brothers to make the same mistake of ignoring others. But…

But it was already too late; his earthly life had ended. Maybe that is one of today’s lessons: we must listen to Moses and the prophets, and above all to the greatest Prophet, Jesus of Nazareth, while we still have the chance. We do not know if the rich man’s brothers ever listened. But we, every day, are given the opportunity to meet the Word of God, to hear it, meditate on it, and put it into practice. We still have time. Before death comes to visit us and our future is decided for all eternity—on one side or the other of the abyss. That is something worth thinking about.

Your brother in faith,