Money and the comforts it brings can blind us to the needs of others

Gospel: Luke 16: 17–31
There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table.

What is striking about this scene is that nothing seems to be happening. The rich man is eating; the poor man is sitting and waiting. There are no words between them. The poor man is not abused or chased away; he is simply ignored as if he did not exist.

We have to choose between the values of Jesus and the values of the world

Gospel: Luke 16: 1–13
A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property. He summoned him and said, ‘What is this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.’

As we examine the complexities of the parable, its subsequent sayings and its social and cultural aspects, we can get side tracked in studious details and miss the obvious impact of Jesus’ images and words. He is asking us about our fundamental choices and loyalties.

God never takes us for granted, and will always search for us when we have strayed

Gospel: Luke 15: 1–32
But now we must celebrate and rejoice because your brother who was dead has come to life again; he was lost and has been found

The real cost of discipleship

Gospel: Luke 14: 25–33

What is true humility and why is it hard to attain?

Gospel: Luke 14: 1, 7–14
When you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to pay you.

Jesus is reminding us that, behind all our attempts to work hard and do good for others, we must reflect on our reasons for doing what we do. As Christians we try to share the gifts of life we have, not so that we stand out, but so that others can stand up with us, relish life and celebrate the God who has blessed us.