Today's Readings
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Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows
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Reading I
Reading I: 1 Timothy 6:2c-12
Beloved:
Teach and urge these things.
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.
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.
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.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.
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Psalm & Sequence
Psalm: Psalm 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!
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Gospel
Alleluia: See Matthew 11:25
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.Gospel: Luke 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.
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Living faith
Investment Lessons
"For we brought nothing into the world, just as we shall not be able to take anything out of it." (1 Timothy 6:7)
One of the world's most powerful temptations is the false sense of security that we derive from accumulating goods. Today's admonishment to Timothy warns against covetousness and the evil fruit it bears, versus the contentment that comes from living simply and putting our confidence in the Lord.
The short Gospel reading names the generous women who supported Jesus' ministry out of their resources. In faith and gratitude, they used their gifts to share the Good News and advance the Kingdom of God. Notably, they did not simply finance the mission behind the scenes, but accompanied Jesus and the apostles to see and participate firsthand. Their investment is a lesson for us to give of our person, not just our possessions.
How do I put my material and spiritual gifts at the service of God and neighbor? What am I holding on to that could do more if I gave it away?
Steve Pable
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Today's Good News
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Imagine the bravery of this notoriously sinful woman. She knows Jesus is having dinner in this house with the "holiest" men in town. She knows these men will condemn her. And yet, she believes that Jesus has the power and the desire to forgive her. Her shame does not prevent her from seeking him. In a posture of the greatest humility, she approaches him with what was likely her prized possession--an alabaster jar of the finest ointment. She kneels before him and bathes his dusty, tired feet with her tears, drying them with her own hair.
I've read that the ointment she brings is the same used to anoint the dead for burial and that this story prefigures the crucifixion. We feel the remorse for the part we play in Jesus' death. We seek his forgiveness and restoration at the foot of the cross.
Jessica Mesman Griffith
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