COLLECT: “O GOD, WHOSE PROVIDENCE NEVER FAILS IN ITS DESIGN, KEEP FROM US, WE HUMBLY BESEECH YOU, ALL THAT MIGHT HARM US AND GRANT ALL THAT WORKS FOR OUR GOOD. THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU IN THE HOLY SPIRIT, GOD, FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN”.
2Tim 4:1-8; Ps 70:8-9,14-17,22 and Mk 12:38-44.
The readings for today exhort that, if we want to win or receive the “Crown of Righteousness” after this life, we need to be more generous in our service for the Lord, as well as with whatever we have.
The first reading from 2Timothy gives us an image of Paul poured out like a sacrifice or libation. Paul realises his time is limited on earth, yet, he continues to teach and he urges Timothy, his spiritual son, to be persistent in spreading the word. Paul sort of tells Timothy to “Be like me”.
Yes, Paul is facing execution in a Roman prison and he knows it is time for him to pass over the baton of faith to Timothy, urging him to relentlessly preach the truth, finish his God-given ministry, and live with eager anticipation of Christ’s return. This profound teaching of Paul offers timeless, actionable lessons for how, as believers, we can live and lead purposeful, resolute Christian lives in our time.
We are all urged to sacrifice and offer what we have to God and for humanity. Timothy is urged to “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season”. He is challenged to faithfully preach or share the Gospel-even when it is unpopular or inconvenient. We are equally challenged to do that. There will be times some people may reject the Gospel and sound teaching or doctrine in favour of what they want to hear.
Paul says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”. This has been consoling, comforting and encouraging for us. This should remind all of us that spiritual endurance requires a lifetime of dedication, and the ultimate goal is to remain steadfast until the end, and then, the “crown of righteousness” shall be given to you by the Lord in heaven.
In today’s Gospel, we are offered a glimpse of a poor widow giving all she has to live on. She has been generous with what she has to serve the Lord and Jesus commends her. Of course, she will not miss eternal life after this life. May the Lord help each of us to be more generous in the service of the Lord, as well as with what we have. May Saint Norbert intercede for us. Stay blessed and happy feast to all who bear the name Norbert.
WE MEDITATE TODAY, SATURDAY, ON THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES: ‘THE ANNUNCIATION, THE VISITATION, THE BIRTH OF JESUS, THE PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE AND THE FINDING OF THE CHILD JESUS IN THE TEMPLE’. (LET US PRAY FOR HUMILITY, LOVE OF NEIGHBOUR, POVERTY IN SPIRIT, OBEDIENCE AND JOY IN FINDING JESUS) “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen”.
PRAYER: “GOVERN BY YOUR SPIRIT, WE PRAY, O LORD, THOSE YOU FEED WITH THE BODY AND BLOOD OF YOUR SON, THAT, PROFESSING YOU NOT JUST IN WORD OR IN SPEECH, BUT ALSO IN WORKS AND IN TRUTH, WE MAY MERIT TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. THROUGH CHRIS OUR LORD. AMEN.”
Rev. Fr. Aloysius Kpiebaya, Catholic Diocese of Wa, Upper West Region, Ghana. (00233-0207867239/0545462863. Email: aloybaya20@yahoo.com.
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