REFLECTIONS TODAY
Jesus is not traveling alone on foot. He is accompanied by the Twelve and some women who benefited from his power when he drove away evil spirits from them. These women accompany Jesus from one place to another, providing for his and the apostles’ needs out of their own resources. Some of these Galilean women are named: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna (vv 2-3). Imagine the women-power exerting tremendous efforts to sustain Jesus and his apostles! These women will not stop until Jesus has accomplished his mission. Today, do we still find women like them? Some help their priests or churches. Their sacrifices can be more meritorious if they give support from their own resources.
First Reading • 1 Tm 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.
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.
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.