Don’t delude yourselves, Jesus says through the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. We really are supposed to care for others. It is not enough to go to Mass and occasionally serve at a parish or outreach function. We cannot remain complacent and consider ourselves followers of Jesus. No matter how much or how little material wealth we have, we always have something to give--our time and attention, care, and, when possible, our money. The way we treat and care for others, especially the poor and vulnerable, is the manner in which we show our love of God. As disciples, we must “pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.” Jesus calls us to see and respond to the least among us, because, as God’s children, we are all part of one another.

Make a choice. God or money, material things, earthly pleasure. This is what Jesus asks us to do in today’s Gospel. The Pharisees and scribes, and many people, want it both ways. God and wealth. But Jesus knows that “no servant can serve two masters.” It is not that wealth is inherently bad, but the pursuit of it to the exclusion of what is good and righteous is. Our faith is meant to guide and shape the way we live. If we are followers of Jesus Christ, we will treat others, especially the poor and vulnerable, fairly and justly. We will live with devotion to God and let our lives speak the truth of God’s love for all. We will put first things first, or more precisely, put God and God’s ways first, assured that when we do, everything else will fall into place.

Imagine being among those who heard Jesus address the Pharisees and scribes in the encounter we hear in today’s Gospel: “What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it?” Would you leave ninety-nine in the desert in order to find one lost sheep? In the parable, Jesus is showing us the depths of God’s love, the illogical, incredible love God has for each of us. Moses counted on this loving mercy as he spoke for the wandering peo-ple; Saint Paul acknowledges his reliance on it in his letter to Timothy. God desires to draw you close, seeking you when you are lost. Are you ready to be drawn into God’s loving embrace?