Lectionary: 447
Reading 1 1 TM 6:2C-12
Beloved:
Teach and urge these things.
Still speaking to St. Timothy, St. Paul urges him to keep teaching.
Whoever teaches something different
and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ
and the religious teaching
is conceited, understanding nothing,
and has a morbid disposition for arguments and verbal disputes.
This is a description of the Protestants today. It is the Catholic Church which teaches the words of Jesus Christ infallibly, but they continue to dispute the Word of God, replacing it instead with their man made traditions.
From these come envy, rivalry, insults, evil suspicions,
and mutual friction among people with corrupted minds,
who are deprived of the truth,
supposing religion to be a means of gain.
We see this clearly in the multiplication of the Protestant sects, which continually divide and multiply because of rivalries and in fighting.
Indeed, religion with contentment is a great gain.
For we brought nothing into the world,
just as we shall not be able to take anything out of it.
If we have food and clothing, we shall be content with that.
Those who want to be rich are falling into temptation and into a trap
and into many foolish and harmful desires,
which plunge them into ruin and destruction.
For the love of money is the root of all evils,
and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith
and have pierced themselves with many pains.
This is important for everyone. It is God who decides who is rich and who is poor. Being rich in this life is a severe test of faith. It may seem like something desirable, but it is better to live in utter poverty in this life and with God in the nest, than to live in richness in this life and condemned to eternal punishment in the next. You can't love God and money. For you will wind up despising one and loving the other. Therefore, love God and despise money. God will take care of all you need.
But you, man of God, avoid all this.
Instead, pursue righteousness, devotion,
faith, love, patience, and gentleness.
Compete well for the faith.
Lay hold of eternal life,
to which you were called when you made the noble confession
in the presence of many witnesses.
Amen! Seek righteousness and purity in this life. And you will be blessed. For God is not unrighteous as to forget your works of love in His name.
Responsorial Psalm PS 49:6-7, 8-10, 17-18, 19-20
R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Why should I fear in evil days
when my wicked ensnarers ring me round?
They trust in their wealth;
the abundance of their riches is their boast.
R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Yet in no way can a man redeem himself,
or pay his own ransom to God;
Too high is the price to redeem one’s life; he would never have enough
to remain alive always and not see destruction.
R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Fear not when a man grows rich,
when the wealth of his house becomes great,
For when he dies, he shall take none of it;
his wealth shall not follow him down.
R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Though in his lifetime he counted himself blessed,
“They will praise you for doing well for yourself,”
He shall join the circle of his forebears
who shall never more see light.
R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Be rich in righteousness, faithfulness and the love of God. Be poor in self pride and self righteousness. Put all your hope in God and you will be saved.
Gospel LK 8:1-3
Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another,
preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God.
Accompanying him were the Twelve
and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities,
Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,
Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza,
Susanna, and many others
who provided for them out of their resources.
Many holy people followed Jesus and His Apostles. Many of them were women and they supported the group out of their funds.
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