St. Robert Bellarmine, bishop & doctor

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊ 

1Timothy 6:2c-12

Teach and stress these things.  

Who­ever teaches in some other way, not following the sound teaching of our Lord Christ Jesus and true religious instruction,   is conceited and understands nothing. This one is crazy about controversies and discussions that result in envy, insults,   blows and constant arguments between people of depraved minds and far from the truth. For them, religion is merely for financial gain.

In reality, religion is a treasure if we are content with what we have.   We brought nothing into the world and we will leave it with nothing.   Let us then be content with having food and clothing.  Those who strive to be rich fall into temptations and traps.

A lot of foolish and harmful ambitions plunge them into ruin and destruction.   Indeed, the love of money is the root of every evil. Because of this greed, some have wandered away from the faith, bringing on themselves afflictions of every kind.

 But you, man of God, shun all this. Strive to be holy and godly. Live in faith and love, with endurance and gentleness.   Fight the good fight of faith and win everlasting life to which you were called when you made the good profession of faith in the presence of so many witnesses.

 

Ps 49:6-7, 8-10, 19-20

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

   

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊   

Luke 8:1-3

Jesus walked through towns and countryside, preaching and giving the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve followed him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and diseases: Mary called Magdalene, who had been freed of seven demons; Joanna, wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward; Suzanna and others who provided for them out of their own funds.

 

Gospel Reflection：

  In this gospel, the women take center stage. Although most of the highlights in the gospel concern the Twelve, still snippets of information regarding the women disciples of the Lord find their way into the Gospels.

The women may not have taken active roles in the preaching of the good news, still their contribution cannot be set aside. They take care of the more practical needs of the group. They minister to the needs of the ministers. This is equal in importance to what their male counterparts do.

For the message is good as long as the messenger is okay. The basic needs of the mission must be met before it can take off. And so, today we honor all the nameless women who in their own way contributed to the success of the mission.

As a matter of fact, perhaps we could say that they are the other half of the mission. Without them, it would have been difficult for the disciples to move forward while  encumbered by the practical needs of the mission.