Those of us who call ourselves Christian, commit ourselves to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, to live in accord with his Gospel, writes Christian Brother Julian McDonald. We know from experience that conversion of mind and heart is a life-long journey. It is rarely the consequence an instant, life-changing event similar to the dramatic experience that turned the life of Saul of Tarsus upside down. Still, in different ways, Jesus says to each of us, as he said to Zacchaeus in this Sunday’s Gospel : “I mean to come and stay in your house.”

Having been created in the image of the God who loved us into life, we must accept that, like God, all of us are good, creative, loving and free when we are at our best, reflects Christian Brother Julian Mcdonald. Sure, we need to acknowledge to ourselves and others that there are times when we are sinful, but such acknowledgement is meant to lead us to put our hope and trust in God, who not only respects and treasures us, but trusts us to be instruments of peace, compassion and mercy for others.

During his public ministry, Jesus repeatedly reminded the religious leaders, who watched him so intently in the hope of catching him breaking the Law, that compassion trumped inflexible legalism. In healing people and restoring them to community, Jesus reminded them that they, in their turn, had a responsibility to live differently, to bring life and love, compassion and understanding to people around them, reflects Br Julian McDonald CFC.

Today’s gospel parable of the rich man and Lazarus requires little by way of explanation and analysis, writes Christian Brother Julian McDonald. While its principal message is clear: that every follower of Jesus has a responsibility to care for our needy sisters and brothers, it leaves us in no doubt that this responsibility is not a take it or leave it option. Care for the poor and needy is a Gospel imperative, for some, an uncomfortable and challenging one, but one to be embraced as an essential expression of our humanity and Christian discipleship.

I suggest that every line of this gospel-reading is best viewed as contributing to a message about the wise and prudent resources that are at the disposal of every disciple of Jesus, writes Christian Brother Julian McDonald. . All the bits are part of a single piece that Luke presents to his community. Money and all our other resources and possessions play a part in the promotion of good. We err when we slip into letting ourselves be controlled by our possessions