Friday Of the Twenty-Fourth Week In Ordinary Time
The Mission Needs Us All
Liturgical Cycle: C | Lectionary Cycle: I
Introduction
In today’s first reading, Paul gives a summary of his first letter to Timothy and blames the false teachers who cause difficulties in the community. Most of the time they sow dissent by disputes about words and interminable discussions. Today’s liturgy invites us to walk closely with Christ in simplicity and devotion. St. Paul urges us to flee from greed and selfish desire, and instead to pursue righteousness, faith, love, and gentleness—the true treasures of discipleship.
The Gospel (Lk 8:1-3) shows Jesus on the road, accompanied not only by the Twelve but also by women who served him with generous hearts. Together, these readings remind us that following Christ is a daily journey of humble service, faithfulness, and wholehearted trust in God. Luke is the evangelist who describes the contribution of women in the apostolate of Jesus. Christ has liberated them from the alienations of Jewish society. They accompanied Jesus since the beginning of his ministry and had a status not far remote from that of the Twelve; after the resurrection, they were the first to proclaim that Christ was risen. Together with the Twelve, they are companions of Jesus as he goes from town to town to bring the good news. Companions are people who share the same table.
Opening Prayer
Lord our God,
men and women are responsible together
for the life of faith of our Christian communities.
As they were disciples of Jesus
and his companions on the road,
may they also accompany us today,
with their identity and potentials,
that the Church may grow
and its faith be alive and imbued with love.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.
First Reading
Those whose masters are Christians should not show less respect, even if they are members of the church. On the contrary, they should provide even better service, since they are doing good works on behalf of believers and dear friends. Teach and emphasize these points.
Anyone who teaches differently from the sound doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ and true religious teaching
is proud and understands nothing. Such a person is obsessed with controversies and arguments that lead to envy, insults,
blows, and constant disputes among people with depraved minds, far from the truth. For them, religion is simply a way to make money.
In reality, religion is a treasure if we are content with what we have.
We brought nothing into the world, and we will leave it with nothing.
Let us then be content with having food and clothing.
Those who strive to be rich fall into temptations and traps. Many foolish and harmful ambitions lead them to ruin and destruction.
Indeed, the love of money is the root of all evil. Because of this greed, some have wandered away from the faith, bringing on themselves all kinds of affliction.
But you, man of God, avoid all this. Strive to be holy and godly. Live in faith and love, with patience and gentleness.
Fight the good fight of faith and receive everlasting life, which you were called to when you made the good confession of faith in the presence of many witnesses.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 49:6-7, 8-10, 17-18, 19-20
R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Why should I fear in evil days
when my wicked ensnarers ring me round?
They trust in their wealth;
the abundance of their riches is their boast.
R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Yet in no way can a man redeem himself,
or pay his own ransom to God;
Too high is the price to redeem one's life; he would never have enough
to remain alive always and not see destruction.
R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Fear not when a man grows rich,
when the wealth of his house becomes great,
For when he dies, he shall take none of it;
his wealth shall not follow him down.
R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Though in his lifetime he counted himself blessed,
"They will praise you for doing well for yourself,"
He shall join the circle of his forebears
who shall never more see light.
R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Alleluia Verse
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
along with some women who had been healed of evil spirits and illnesses: Mary called Magdalene, who had been freed from seven demons;
Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward; Suzanna; and others who supported them financially.
Prayers of the Faithful
– That the contribution of women to the building up of the community of the Church may be appreciated more, and as well as that of men, we pray:
– That women in the Church may continue to enrich us with the warmth of their gentleness, we pray:
– That women in the Church may inspire us by their sense of welcome, faith and fidelity, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
let us be companions of your Son
who share his table.
and become with him
one in mind and heart.
Let fathers and mothers in our families
make their gifts of mind and heart available
and nourish their children
with the food of faith
and the warmth of love and compassion.
Let them make their children
close to Jesus Christ our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God,
we have been companions of your Son
as we have eaten from his table.
Make us also his companions
on the journey of life
that we may we bring to the people we encounter
the good news of forgiveness and life
that make our communities
signs of the kingdom of God.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Blessing
The women who accompanied Jesus “served him,” says the gospel. Jesus was among us as the one who serves, and we, men and women, serve with him. May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Women in the Church
New Testament scholars confirm that, in comparison with the literary works of the then times, the gospels contain unusually high number of references to women. According to some scholars, of all founders of religions and sects, Jesus is unique in his welcome and affirmation of women. Jesus was humble enough to learn even from a pagan woman – the Syro-Phoenician woman who reminded him that gentiles were not to be excluded from the mercy of God (cf. Mt 15:27). In an age when the testimony of a woman was given only half the weightage of that of a man, Jesus chose Mary Magdalene to be apostle to the apostles, to be the first bearer of the good news of his resurrection. Today’s gospel testifies to how women felt free and welcome to be his followers. If Jesus welcomed men and women without any discrimination, our parishes, faith communities, and homes must also become places where women play significant roles in discipleship, evangelization, and leadership.
20 September 2024
Partners in Mission
Today’s Gospel discusses a small group of women who supported Jesus using their personal resources. It was considered a virtuous act to provide assistance to a Rabbi, but these women went beyond tradition by travelling with the Master and the disciples throughout their mission journey. It was quite unconventional for women to accompany a Rabbi, as Rabbis typically did not interact with women in public and very strict ones did not even speak to their own wives.
These women were not merely passive followers; they were integral to the mission, providing both material and spiritual support. This underscores the early acknowledgement of women’s substantial contributions to the spread of the Gospel.
The women remained loyal to Jesus until the end, standing by him at the foot of the cross (23:49) and during his burial (23:55f) and ultimately becoming witnesses of the Resurrection (24:1-11). Luke's gospel has been called the “Gospel of women”, highlighting their significant roles. The Nativity story, for instance, is presented from Mary's perspective. Elizabeth, Anna, the widow of Naim, the crippled woman, and the woman who anointed Jesus's feet in Simon the Pharisee's house are all introduced in Luke. Additionally, Luke provides compelling portraits of Mary, Martha, and Mary Magdalen.
Pope Francis, addressing an international conference on women in the Church on the occasion of International Women’s Day this year, called on the Church to keep in mind, that the Church is herself a woman: a daughter, a bride, and a mother". This metaphor underscores the nurturing and life-giving roles that women play within the Church.
In the Church, there is no room for discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or nationality. Let us regard one another as partners, neither superiors nor masters and stand against the subjugation of people.
19 SEPTEMBER 2025
The Mission Needs Us All
In today’s Gospel (Luke 8:1–3), we see Jesus on the road. The synagogues were closed to Him; the scribes and Pharisees watched not to listen but to accuse. So He took to the open spaces—the road, the hillside, the lakeshore—because the Word of God cannot be confined. When doors close, the Spirit opens new paths.
Here we are told of a small group of women who accompanied Him and supported His mission from their resources. Among them were Mary Magdalene, healed of seven demons, and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s trusted steward. How striking: a woman with a wounded past and a woman from the royal court, walking side by side. This is the miracle of Jesus—He brings together the most diverse people, not erasing their identities, but uniting them in love. The lion and the lamb, as Chesterton said, remain lion and lamb, yet find peace together. This is the Church at her best: a communion of differences, held together by Christ.
We also see that these women served in the way they could. They were not preachers, but they offered their means, their presence, their quiet fidelity. Their support allowed the mission to continue. How many disciples of Christ remain hidden, serving in silence! The parent who sustains a household of faith, the friend who encourages a vocation, the unseen worker whose generosity makes ministry possible—these are the hidden pillars of the Church.
No gift is too small to be offered to Christ. He does not measure by greatness but by love. Today, let us give what we can, in the place we are, with the heart we have. Like those women on the road, we too can walk with Jesus, supporting His mission with our love, our presence, and our generosity.