The Teaching which accords with Godliness

 

There is great gain in godliness with contentment.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Friday of 24th Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, September 22nd, 2023
Texts: 1 Timothy 6:2-12; Psalm 49:6-10,17-20; Luke 8:1-3 

St. Luke tells us, today, that Jesus went about preaching and telling people about the Good news of God’s kingdom. What is this Good news Jesus preaches and brings to us? It is eternal life. In the words of St. Paul: “take hold of the eternal life to which you were called”.  Jesus Christ calls us to eternal life as he preaches and brings to us the Good News of God’s kingdom. St. Paul says, “If any one teaches otherwise and does not agree with the sound words of our  Lord  Jesus Christ and the teaching which accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit, he knows nothing”. 

We have to learn at the foot of Jesus Christ just like the apostles who were with Jesus. We are to support the spreading of the Good News like Mary Magdalene and others. St. Luke tells us that the women followed Jesus after being healed of evil spirits and infirmities. Their following Jesus is a life of gratitude to God for being saved. They teach us to respond the goodness of the Lord by following Him. They also teach to support the spreading of the Good News, that others may hear it and have eternal life. We are to support every means that brings others to eternal life.  

For the love of money is the root of all evils

St. Paul also speaks of what happens to us when we pervert the teaching of Jesus Christ. We pervert the teaching of Christ when we see religion as means of gain. Seeing religion as such stirs up craving for controversy, disputes about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, base suspicions, and wrangling among us. Hence, St. Paul says, “For the love of money is the root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced their hearts with many pangs.” 

However, St. Paul does not forget to tell us that there is gain in religion. He puts it thus: “There is great gain in godliness with contentment”. Contentment is the key to gain in religion; it reserves our energy and strength for faithfulness to Christ’s teaching. Hence, St. Paul says, “aim at righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 

Prayer 

Lord, look with mercy upon us and forgive us for ways we have been unfaithful to your teaching. Keep us faithful to your teaching both in living it and teaching it to others. Amen 

Fr. Andrew  Olowomuke