24TH FRIDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Gospel (Luke 8:1-3) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.” (Lk 8:1)

FIRST READING - 1 Tim 6:2c-12

^"But you, man of God, avoid all this. Instead, pursue righteousness."

A reading from the First letter to Timothy

² Those whose masters are believers must not take advantage of them because they are brothers but must give better service because those who will profit from their work are believers and are beloved.

Teach and urge these things.^{[a] 3} Whoever teaches something different and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the religious teaching ⁴ is conceited, understanding nothing, and has a morbid disposition for arguments and verbal disputes. From these come envy, rivalry, insults, evil suspicions, ⁵ and mutual friction among people with corrupted minds, who are deprived of the truth, supposing religion to be a means of gain. ^6 [b]Indeed, religion with contentment is a great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, just as we shall not be able to take anything out of it. ⁸ If we have food and clothing, we shall be content with that. ⁹ Those who want to be rich are falling into temptation and into a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge them into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains.

^{[c] 11} But you, man of God,^[d] avoid all this. Instead, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. ¹² Compete well for the faith. Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called when you made the noble confession in the presence of many witnesses.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Lk 8:1-3

"Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women, and many others who provided for them out of their resources."

✠From the Gospel according to Luke

¹ Afterward he journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve ² and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, ³ Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources.

24TH FRIDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Gospel (Luke 8:1-3)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

The Word of God today speaks about the mission of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jesus came to earth, and He did not come only to a particular group within society, but He came to all of humanity to bestow the love of God. The boundless love of God must be spread among all peoples and nations.

God came into the world to save and deliver mankind from sin, from every sickness and infirmity, and from the captivity of Satan. After mankind has been freed by God from the captivity of Satan, God will open their hearts so that they may come to know the God of love, who is Jesus Christ, who has come and is present within them. By recognizing that the God of love is with them, they will then accept the call of Jesus Christ to participate in the plan of God’s salvation, and together with Him go forth proclaiming the Gospel everywhere throughout the world.

First, God called and chose the twelve Apostles, and to accompany the twelve, He also invited the sick people who had been healed by God to collaborate with Him. Therefore, today God calls all members of His people to have the duty and mission to go forth and proclaim the Gospel, bringing the salvation of God to all, for God loves and desires to save everyone.

The Word of God today also calls everyone to:

• Look to the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the holy apostles, and the women of old who cooperated in the work of proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom of God; in the same way, in today’s world, all are called to go forth courageously to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, using the gifts that God has bestowed to bring Him to many, helping them to receive the grace of conversion, the grace of faith, and the grace of healing, so that they too may partake of the gift of salvation granted by God Himself.

• Be bold and courageous in professing the one true God, who is the God of love, who has come and is present with all people, so that souls may repent of their sins and return to God; in this way, they will be delivered by Him from the captivity of Satan, and their hearts will always find peace and happiness in God.

Thanks be to God. Amen.