Ordinary Weekday/ Robert Bellarmine, Bishop, Religious, Doctor
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 49: 6-7, 8-10, 17-18, 19-20
Alleluia: Matthew 11: 25
Gospel: Luke 8: 1-3
First Reading: First Timothy 6: 2c-12
2c These things teach and exhort.
3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to that doctrine which is according to godliness,
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but sick about questions and strifes of words; from which arise envies, contentions, blasphemies, evil suspicions,
5 Conflicts of men corrupted in mind, and who are destitute of the truth, supposing gain to be godliness.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world: and certainly we can carry nothing out.
8 But having food, and wherewith to be covered, with these we are content.
9 For they that will become rich, fall into temptation, and into the snare of the devil, and into many unprofitable and hurtful desires, which drown men into destruction and perdition.
10 For the desire of money is the root of all evils; which some coveting have erred from the faith, and have entangled themselves in many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, fly these things: and pursue justice, godliness, faith, charity, patience, mildness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith: lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art called, and hast confessed a good confession before many witnesses.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 49: 6-7, 8-10, 17-18, 19-20
R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
6 Why shall I fear in the evil day? the iniquity of my heel shall encompass me.
7 They that trust in their own strength, and glory in the multitude of their riches,
R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
8 No brother can redeem, nor shall man redeem: he shall not give to God his ransom,
9 Nor the price of the redemption of his soul: and shall labour for ever,
10 And shall still live unto the end.
R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
17 Be not thou afraid, when a man shall be made rich, and when the glory of his house shall be increased.
18 For when he shall die he shall take nothing away; nor shall his glory descend with him.
R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
19 For in his lifetime his soul will be blessed: and he will praise thee when thou shalt do well to him.
20 He shall go in to the generations of his fathers: and he shall never see light.
R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Alleluia: Matthew 11: 25
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
25 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
1 And it came to pass afterwards, that he travelled through the cities and towns, preaching and evangelizing the kingdom of God; and the twelve with him:
2 And certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities; Mary who is called Magdalen, out of whom seven devils were gone forth,
3 And Joanna the wife of Chusa, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who ministered unto him of their substance.
Reflection
The readings place true wealth in a different light. Money and possessions can promise security, yet they cannot redeem a life, accompany us beyond death, or give us the Kingdom. The danger is not simply having riches, but allowing the desire for them to take hold of the heart and draw it away from faith. The poor in spirit know that life is received from God and cannot be secured by human strength.
That freedom appears in the women who travelled with Jesus. Having been healed, they used what they possessed to serve him and support his mission. Their resources became an offering rather than a source of self-importance. This is the “great gain” of godliness with contentment: receiving what we have with gratitude and placing it at the service of Christ. Scripture gives us a concrete path—turn from grasping, pursue justice, faith, charity, patience, and gentleness, and hold firmly to eternal life. The Kingdom is revealed to little ones who know they need God, and such humility makes generous discipleship possible.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, free my heart from the desire to measure life by possessions, success, or human strength. Teach me the humble poverty that trusts in the Father and receives each blessing with gratitude. Give me wisdom to recognize what is enough, courage to flee whatever draws me from faith, and generosity to place my time, resources, and abilities at your service. Heal my attachments and form in me justice, charity, patience, and gentleness. May my life quietly support your Kingdom and remain fixed on the treasure that does not perish. Amen.
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