Daily Readings - Fri Sep 19 2025
1 Timothy
2But those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brothers, but rather serve them all the more because they are believing and beloved, participants of the same service. Teach and exhort these things3If anyone teaches otherwise, and does not consent to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to that doctrine which is in accord with piety4then he is arrogant, knowing nothing, yet languishing amid the questions and quarrels of words. From these arise envy, contention, blasphemy, evil suspicions5the conflicts of men who have been corrupted in mind and deprived of truth, who consider profit to be piety6But piety with sufficiency is great gain7For we brought nothing into this world, and there is no doubt that we can take nothing away8But, having nourishment and some kind of covering, we should be content with these9For those who want to become rich fall into temptation and into the snare of the devil and into many useless and harmful desires, which submerge men in destruction and in perdition10For desire is the root of all evils. Some persons, hungering in this way, have strayed from the faith and have entangled themselves in many sorrows11But you, O man of God, flee from these things, and truly pursue justice, piety, faith, charity, patience, meekness12Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you have been called, and make a good profession of faith in the sight of many witnesses
Luke
1And it happened afterwards that he was making a journey through the cities and towns, preaching and evangelizing the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him2along with certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, who is called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had departed3and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many other women, who were ministering to him from their resources
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the essence of living a faithful and meaningful life. The first reading from 1 Timothy emphasizes the importance of contentment and warns against the dangers of greed and false teachings. Paul urges believers to pursue virtues like justice, piety, and charity, and to avoid the snares of wealth and materialism. The Gospel from Luke illustrates Jesus’s ministry, highlighting the support he receives from his disciples and a group of women, showcasing the power of community and shared purpose.
These passages, while distinct, share a common theme: living a life grounded in faith and service. In 1 Timothy, Paul focuses on the internal virtues that guide our actions, while Luke’s account shows how these virtues are lived out in community. The women who supported Jesus demonstrate generosity and dedication, reminding us that our faith is not just about individual holiness but also about contributing to the greater good.
As we reflect on these readings, let us consider how we can apply their lessons to our daily lives. Let us strive to be content with what we have, avoiding the trap of chasing wealth and material possessions. Let us also recognize the importance of community, supporting one another in our shared journey of faith. May we, like the women who supported Jesus, use our resources and talents to serve others and further the kingdom of God. In doing so, we embody the moral lesson of these readings: true wealth lies not in what we possess, but in our relationships and our commitment to living out our faith with integrity and generosity.