The Comforter of the Afflicted and the Afflicter of the Comfortable

 

Migrants board a smuggler's boat in the English channel (AFP)

Lectio Divina:*

Amos 6:1-7

Psalm 146

1 Timothy 6:11-16

Luke 16:19-21

Meditatio:

“now he is comforted here, and you are in agony” (Luke 16:25)

Commentary (1,380 words):

 

Last March before Pope Francis died the Vatican announced the theme of the coming Sunday’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees (5^th October) as ‘Migrants, missionaries of hope’.  In a statement from the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development migrants are described as ‘often contributing to revitalising their faith and promoting interreligious dialogue based on common values. They remind the Church of the ultimate goal of this earthly pilgrimage—the attainment of our future homeland’. Pope Leo XIV reinforces these themes in his message here for this Sunday.

To prefer nothing to the love of Christ

  Sunday 7 September 2025 

(Year C: 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Lectio Divina:*

Wisdom 9:13-18

Psalm 90(89)

Philemon 9-17

Luke 14:25-33

Meditatio:

“So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions”. (Luke 14:33)

Commentary (1,270 words):