Qualifications of Ministers of God!

 

24th week Tuesday in Ordinary Time

Year One

1Tim 3:1-13

Qualifications of Bishops

The saying is sure: whoever aspires to the office of bishop[b] desires a noble task.  Now a bishop must be above reproach, married only once, temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way—  for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may be puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.  Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil.

Qualifications of Deacons

 Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not indulging in much wine, not greedy for money;  they must hold fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.  And let them first be tested; then, if they prove themselves blameless, let them serve as deacons. Women[e] likewise must be serious, not slanderers, but temperate, faithful in all things.  Let deacons be married only once,[f] and let them manage their children and their households well;  for those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus1 (Tim 3:1-13).

Meditation

Most of the people in the office are well thought of by people for their goodness and availability. An office and a responsibility are a gift. One who receives that gift keeps up and lives up to his calling and discharges his/her responsibility in faith, love and charity. If the Lord has chosen someone, he will not let him go unless he/she does his will. No matter the situation and condition in which one lives, the grace of God remains with the chosen. It is a matter of faith, grace, mercy and unconditional love from the part of God who is in perfect control of everything on earth and in heaven.

Greedy avariciousness for things of the world and money is not a quality of the servants of God. Even excessive longing for food and drink is also contrary to the ministry of the word and worship. While one enjoys everything in moderation with love for God and is faithful with a heart full of charity, both in words and deeds, it is praiseworthy. God blesses us with gifts of nature and grace, but it is up to each one to grow in those graces and live according to the will of God.

Do we take care to live up to our calling?

Year Two

1 Cor 12:12-14, 27-31

Meditation

God Blesses Us with Gifts.

The human body is composed of different parts as one human body. Likewise, though we are many and different from each other in various ways, human beings are united in the one baptism in the church. The divisions that are based on multicultural and multilingual, we are all one in Jesus. The difference in human beings only adds richness to humanity and means of division. Jesus unites the Jews or Gentiles, Slaves or free and women or men.

In every community, there are persons with various gifts and charisms. They are meant for the good of the community. Each one is given a gift to serve and praise God.  “And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.  Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?  Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? (1 Cor 12:28-30).

How beautiful is the Church in accepting different gifts for the good?

LK 7:11-17

Soon afterwards, he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow, and with her was a large crowd from the town.  When the Lord saw her, he was moved with compassion for her and said to her, “Do not cry.” Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stopped. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, rise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother (LK 7:11-15).,

Jesus says to the dead young man of Nain, “Young man, I say to you, rise!”   Sometimes the young are considered to be dead to the ways of God. The young have lost in a world with its attractions and confusion, which the world creates in the minds of young people.  The world and its ways make us dead while we are still alive. Jesus comes to us at the cry of parents and elders to touch us to be alive while we are dead. Let us arise from the sleep of death and go forth to live a life full of energy and force filled by the Grace of God. Jesus came to give us life and life in fullness (Jn 10:10).

Am I dead while alive in this life? Do I need the touch of Jesus to be alive in life?

Fr. Putti Anthaiah sdb