Friday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

September 20, 2019

Deacon Anthony J. Cincotta

Assistant Director for Retreat Ministry

Memorial Feast:  Saint Andrew Kim Taegon, Priest and Martyr, (1821-1846,) and Saint Paul Chong Hasang (1795-18339,) and Companions Martyrs

Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy 6:2c-12

Psalm 49:6-7, 8-10, 17-18, 19-20

Luke: 8:1-3

Today’s first reading follows readings from the three previous days and is followed by one more tomorrow.  We have learned how St. Paul is teaching Timothy how to shepherd his early Christian community.   The lesson today is found in verse 10, “For the love of money is the root of all evil.” 

The wisdom presented here is applicable to our lives today as it was 2,000 years ago.  My personal favorite verse is, “if we have food and clothing, we shall be content with that.”  There is much to reflect in this one statement by Saint Paul.    But I might add a few more “basics” to the list of essential needs.  They include shelter, medical care and education.  But the point is, so much of what we think we need does not really add to our lives.  In fact, always wanting the latest, the newest, the best, the smartest, and the fastest is really a loosing proposition.  Paul continues, “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.” 

Our lesson today then is a warning that there are foolish and harmful desires, most especially those closely tied to the desire for wealth.  On the other hand, the passage opens us up to a whole list of things to be sought after, such as, piety, faith, love, steadfastness, and a  gentle spirit.”  When we seek these virtues we are truly rich.

Question of the Day:  Do you accept and desire the richness of God’s love?

Prayer:  Lord, your love is all the wealth I desire.

Prosit

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ENCOUNTERING DIVINE PHYSICIAN (Gospel of Luke 5: 17-26)

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