Daily Readings - Fri Sep 17 2021
1 Timothy
2Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved.Teach and urge these things.3If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness,4he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,5and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.6Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment,7for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.8But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.9But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.11But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Luke
1Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him,2and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,3and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the relationship between faith, service, and the dangers of materialism. In the first reading from 1 Timothy, St. Paul emphasizes the importance of living a life of piety and contentment. He warns against the corrupting influence of wealth and the empty disputes that arise from a life focused on profit rather than truth. He calls us to pursue virtues like justice, faith, and charity, reminding us that true wealth lies in living a life grounded in God. The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus traveling and preaching with his disciples, accompanied by women who supported him financially and practically. This passage highlights the importance of community and the diverse roles we play in supporting one another in the mission of the kingdom.
The readings are connected by the theme of dependence on God and on one another. In 1 Timothy, Paul warns against the arrogance of self-sufficiency and the dangers of letting wealth distract us from what truly matters. In the Gospel, the women who support Jesus demonstrate that living a life of faith requires collaboration and mutual support. Both readings remind us that our ultimate security and fulfillment come not from material possessions but from our relationship with God and our commitment to living out His will.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to examine our priorities. Are we content with what we have, or do we constantly seek more? Do we recognize the value of serving others and being part of a community that supports one another? Let us strive to live simply, trusting in God’s providence and finding joy in using our resources to serve others. As St. Paul encourages, let us “fight the good fight of faith” and pursue a life of virtue and love. In doing so, we will find true wealth in the depths of God’s love and in the relationships we build along the way.