Many people go by the logic while having a meal, especially as children, that you eat your Favourite food off of your plate first, then second favourite, and saving the least favourite for last. The logic behind this is that you are able to fully enjoy your favourites, and then if you get 'full' by your last part, then you don't have to eat your least favourite. Everything works out right? Wrong.
Why do we belittle things in our life and rank by favourites? Why do we not just value everything as good and blessed, as God blessed it for us. The same analogy can be used for people in our world. We spend more and more time with those we cherish more, and so little, even no, time with those who are poor, hurting, those we don't know. God tells us that we need to hold everyone to a higher standard than ourselves, as we know nothing about what our neighbour is struggling with. If we hold everyone to an equal standard, not worrying about riches, genealogy, or class, then we will take one step closer to bringing God's Kingdom on earth.
In today's Gospel we read:"There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Laz'arus, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Laz'arus in his bosom. And he called out, `Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Laz'arus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.'But Abraham said, `Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Laz'arus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.' And he said, `Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' But Abraham said, `They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' And he said, `No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to him, `If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead'" (Luke 16:19-31).
The last will come first and the first will be last. So let us pray that God can help us break away from holding such high standards for people and showing rejection when it is not reached. Get more involved with your least favourite food, or the person you would never think of contacting. Be a light for others.
Today's prayer comes from 'Catholic Online', a prayer for equality and justice:
Father, you have given all peoples one common origin.It is your will that they be gathered togetheras one family in yourself.Fill the hearts of mankind with the fire of your loveand with the desire to ensure justice for all.By sharing the good things you give us,may we secure an equality for allour brothers and sisters throughout the world.May there be an end to division, strife and war.May there be a dawning of a truly human societybuilt on love and peace.We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord.Amen.
