💖 HOMILY - SEPTEMBER 22 💖

First Reading - 1 Timothy 6:2-12

Gospel - Luke 8:1-3

Fraudulence is a very serious problem today. Every now and then the news is flashed with the cases of fraudulence that raise our eyebrows in fear and astonishment. Why do the people go for it? It's because of material gain. There are also instances of fraudulence under the pretext of religion and it's practices. The readings of today conscientize us to become alert of those who promote wrong teachings and fundamentalism for material gain which can only deviate us from our true faith.

In the first reading, Paul continues with his didactic teaching to Timothy. He exhorts him to become alert of the false teachers of faith. He instructs him to remain steadfast in his faith and not be carried away by the false teachers and their teachings. He also points out that the false teachers can be discerned by their behaviour of pride, envy, quarrelsomeness and greed for material gain (money). Paul also tells Timothy that the true faith primarily brings spiritual benefits and also material gains but it is not primary concern but having it as much as is required for physical sustenance. Paul also advises Timothy to strive for true faith which demands being filled with faith, love, patience and gentleness.

In the gospel, we see Jesus engaged in his ministry of teaching and preaching. The most striking part of this is that Jesus is accompanied by some women who were healed by him. It was unimaginable in the first century Palestine where women were confined to their homes and restricted in their social life. However, the ministry of Jesus, which was supported by the contribution of some women and their involvement in the active ministry of Jesus, shows a revolution brought by Jesus in the thinking of the people. The ministry of Jesus also shows that he preached a kingdom that was open to all irrespective of gender, social standing and economic background.

Dear friends, the teachings of Jesus are replete with love, gentleness and compassion. As Christians, we are to promote and live the teachings of Jesus. As in the first reading, Paul exhorts Timothy to be filled with love, faith, patience and gentleness. In short, what Paul promotes is the teachings of Jesus and invites Timothy to be filled with the same teachings. The teachings of Jesus bring spiritual benefits to the believers. 

The contrast of the teachings of Jesus can be made with those, who under the pretext of religion and religious faith, want to gain money or other advantages. They are widespread but they can be discerned by their lives of envy, greed, quarrelsomeness and pride. They are mere deviation and can't produce spiritual benefits for us. We are warned by Paul against such frauds.

The gospel of today also invites us to become generous with our material possessions, particularly money. The women, in the gospel, are the beautiful example of generosity for the support of the mission of Jesus. There is a need of financial support for the spread of the mission of Christ by missionaries in the mission field. It's only by our generous act this can be supported. Let's not be reserved with our material possessions but generous enough for the spread of the Kingdom. As St. Paul reminds us in the first reading that we have brought nothing with us and will carry nothing along, hence our generous love will become an example of confirmation of this fact.

May God help us remain steadfast in our faith.