False Teaching and True Riches!

 

24th week Friday in Ordinary Time

Year One

1 Tim 6:2c-12

False Teaching and True Riches!

Teach and urge these duties. Whoever teaches otherwise and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that is in accordance with godliness,  is conceited, understanding nothing, and has a morbid craving for controversy and for disputes about words. From these come envy, dissension, slander, base suspicions,  and wrangling among those who are depraved in mind and bereft of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment;  for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it;  but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness.  Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made[e] the good confession in the presence of many witnesses (1 Tim 6:2c-12).

Meditation

A Christian is called to live in peace, unity and serenity. On the contrary, some live in conceit, deceit, controversy and dispute. It becomes a way of life. One may not feel that the way is wrong. For every one believes him, everyone comes to him, apparently everything goes well and he may even have a great following; but the he/she is wrong and false and he/she is answerable to God. Such people take time to come back to God, but God will not abandon them. He wins them over for himself. They may take hard turns, but the goodness of God will guide them. One needs to put up a good fight in faith with evil around him and within him.  The grace of God and his own conscience will let him overcome every inherent evil in him. God will help in one’s effort and one’s desire to be good and holy.

Are we aware that life is a good fight with good faith in God?

Year Two

1 Cor 15:12-20

Meditation

Jesus is Alive.

Jesus is alive. Jesus is real. Jesus living among us. We have no more fear because Jesus will do the needful for us. Young people need to believe in Jesus. In Christus vivit, Apostolic Exhortation to Young People, Pope Francis encourages young people to discover Christ and renew hope in Him.  We are people of resurrection and hope-filled people. Our past, present and future are shaped and given richness because Jesus is alive.

It is a great joy to know and believe in the resurrection. The Lord is no more dead, but he is alive. Since he is alive, he is actively involved in our lives. We have no reason to be sad and discouraged.  Once and for all, the whole universe is saved and given everlasting life at the resurrection of the Lord.

Do we place our hope in God, ourselves and others?

Lk 8:1-3

Soon afterwards, he went on through one town and village after another, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who ministered to them out of their own resources (Lk 8:1-3).

The women are the ones who do the simple and most important charity to the needy and the poor. They are the ones who look after the guests, whoever comes to the house. They are the people who give hospitality. Today, even more in the world and in families, we need hospitality. In the world today we buy hospitality. The hospitality was given at home with genuine love by women. We are fortunate, even now in most of the family’s hospitality reigns. Jesus in those days enjoyed the hospitality of many women, as he was moving from place to place doing the will of God. The women supported Jesus’ ministry from their own resources.

Do we enjoy the hospitality of others, or enjoy giving hospitality to others?

Fr. Putti Anthaiah sdb