Gospel: September 19, 2025
September 19, 2025 (Friday)
24th Week in Ordinary Time
Psalter: Week 4 (Green/Red)
St. Januarius, bishop and martyr
Ps 49:6-7, 8-10, 17-18, 19-20
Blessed the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!
1st Reading: 1 Timothy 6:2c-12
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.
Reflection:
“Religion is a treasure.”
Karl Marx famously described religion as the “opium of the people,” since he considered religion to be a set of beliefs and practices which subdued the general population and kept them quiet and uncomplaining in their misery.
How different is Saint Paul’s vision of religion! Religion is “a treasure,” he says. Yes, in writing to Saint Timothy, Paul is reminding him of the importance of detachment from material things, so that our lives aren’t spoilt by constant complaining about not having enough, but Paul is not advocating a life of abject poverty.
Nor is he promoting a society built on injustice. Rather, he is challenging a way of life and a society that is built on greed. History shows many examples of the misuse of religion as a support for the powerful.
But a religion that worships in spirit and in truth (Jn 4:24) is not a drug to make us forget hardship or injustice. Instead, it is a “treasure” that transforms our lives and those around us.
The simplicity and generosity proposed by Paul creates more room in our lives for God and for others, and our lives and society are then built on love and not greed.
