24TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Psalter: Week 3 / (Green)
Ps 49:6-7, 8-10, 17-18, 19-20
Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
1st Reading: 1 Tim 6:2c-12
Those, whose masters are Christians, should not show less respect, under the pretext that, they are members of the church. On the contrary, they must give a better service, since they are doing good works, on behalf of believers, and dear friends.
Teach and stress these things. Whoever teaches in some other way, not following the sound teaching of our Lord Christ Jesus, and true religious instruction, is conceited, and understands nothing. This one is crazy about controversies and discussions, that result in envy, insults, blows and constant arguments between people of depraved minds, and far from the truth. For them, religion is merely for financial gain.
In reality, religion is a treasure, if we are content with what we have. We brought nothing into the world and we will leave it with nothing. Let us, then, be content with having food and clothing. Those who strive to be rich fall into temptations and traps. A lot of foolish and harmful ambitions plunge them into ruin and destruction. Indeed, the love of money is the root of every evil. Because of this greed, some have wandered away from the faith, bringing on themselves afflictions of every kind.
But you, man of God, shun all this. Strive to be holy and godly. Live in faith and love, with endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith and win everlasting life, to which you were called, when you made the good profession of faith, in the presence of so many witnesses.
Gospel: Lk 8:1-3
Jesus walked through towns and countryside, preaching and giving the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve followed him, and also some women, who had been healed of evil spirits and diseases: Mary called Magdalene, who had been freed of seven demons; Joanna, wife of Chuza, Herod‘s steward; Suzanna; and others, who provided for them out of their own funds.
REFLECTION:
Just as the Church belongs to sinners and saints, it belongs to men and women as well. Jesus‘s band of followers included both men and women; and going by Luke‘s accounts, some of those women had notorious past – not the kind that people would expect a “holy man“ to associate with. But Jesus was a holy man with a difference - he was one who helped everyone rediscover God‘s image hidden within. For him, both men and women were children of God, worth embracing and redeeming.
When Pope Francis widened the scope of the foot-washing ritual of Holy Thursday, many people swallowed hard (and some could hardly swallow) the image of him washing the feet of women. Several churches around the world still refused to include women among those whose feet were washed. It is a pity that several of us would still cling to our neuroses and serve human traditions, but turn a blind eye to the invitation of the Gospel!
Daily Reflection
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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL
With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
Readings and Reflections
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