TUESDAY OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
1 Timothy 3:1-13
The saying is sure: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task. Now a bishop must be above reproach, married only once, temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way— for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may be puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil.
Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not indulging in much wine, not greedy for money; they must hold fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them first be tested; then, if they prove themselves blameless, let them serve as deacons. Women likewise must be serious, not slanderers, but temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be married only once, and let them manage their children and their households well; for those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 101:1-3, 5-6
I will sing of loyalty and of justice; to you, O Lord, I will sing. I will study the way that is blameless. When shall I attain it?
I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; I will not set before my eyes anything that is base.
I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.
One who secretly slanders a neighbor I will destroy. A haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not tolerate.
I will look with favor on the faithful in the land, so that they may live with me; whoever walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me.
Luke 7:11-17
Soon afterwards he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, rise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen among us!” and “God has looked favorably on his people!” This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country.
(NRSVCE)
Meditation
in the letter to Timothy, we read about the qualifications of a bishop and a deacon. His noble task is a great responsibility. He has to have self-control and a good reputation, should not love money or drinking, and must know how to be the ruler of his children and his home so that he can rule in God's church.
In the gospel, Jesus performs a powerful miracle. He has pity on a woman who has lost her son and Jesus raises him from the dead. The young man has done nothing at all to earn this favor. The woman is simply a grieving widow who has lost her only child. Jesus is not rewarding any behavior but he is moved by her situation. He tells her not to weep.
Jesus himself takes responsibility and raises the dead son so that he can take care of his mother. He teaches and sets an example of how a good minister can have boldness in faith to meet the needs of the defenseless. As we know, Jesus gave the apostle John, the responsibility and care of his mother when he was dying on the cross.
Today, we glorify God as the people in the town of Nain, and celebrate his great love and mercy for caring for us in our griefs. We are thankful for all the ways the Lord has been moved to help us in ways that we do not know now.
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