Jesus lived and moved in a male-dominated society. He chose twelve men to be his apostles and 72 other disciples. Moreover, he allows himself to be surrounded by women, a red flag for any respected rabbi to do. He feels free to be identified with the company of women like Mary of Magdala. He had driven away from her seven malignant spirits.

The biblical figure “seven” conjures perfection, so it is not difficult to imagine the “brokenness” experienced by Mary Magdalene. Despite her checkered history, Jesus allows her to be actively associated with his public ministry. In the morning of the resurrection, she will become the messenger to the apostles, thus earning the moniker “apostle to the apostles.”

Another woman associated with Jesus’ ministry is Joanna, the wife of Chuza who is the steward of Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee. She would have used some of the money of her well-off husband. Isn’t it uncanny that the Lord’s ministry was partly subsidized by the money of someone associated with a ruler who sought to kill Jesus? God worked and continues to work in many mysterious ways, using different people to advance his Kingdom.

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. 8 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.

Responsorial Psalm • Ps 49

“Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!”

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 2025,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.