September 18, 2025 Thursday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Daily Readings: 1 Timothy 4:12-16; Luke 7:36-50
St. Paul exhorts young Timothy to live as a model disciple despite his youth. Leadership in the Church is not about age but about credibility in faith, purity, love, and integrity of life. By his example in speech and conduct, Timothy is called to inspire believers and silence critics. Paul also stresses the importance of the public proclamation of Scripture, teaching, and exhortation. These are not optional tasks but central to pastoral ministry. Timothy must not neglect the spiritual gift he has received through the laying on of his hands. Rather, he is to cultivate it with diligence so that others may witness his growth. For Paul, salvation is not just personal, it overflows into the lives of those one teaches and shepherds.
In the Gospel, Jesus reveals what true discipleship looks like, not through status or outward respectability, but through love and humility. The Pharisee Simon fails to offer the most basic gestures of hospitality, while a woman known as a sinner approaches Jesus with tears, tenderness, and costly ointment. Her actions, born of deep repentance and gratitude, display a heart transformed by grace. In contrast, Simon’s judgmental spirit blinds him to both his own need for forgiveness and the depth of the woman’s faith. Jesus declares her sins forgiven and affirms, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Together, these readings remind us that discipleship demands both fidelity to the gifts entrusted to us and a heart open to God’s mercy. Like Timothy, we are called to nurture our vocation with zeal. Like the woman, we are invited to approach Jesus in humility and love, trusting in His forgiveness. Our witness is most powerful when our lives, our words, our actions, and our compassion speak louder than titles or appearances.
Call to Action: Let us live with integrity, receive Christ’s mercy with humility, and become examples of faith that draw others closer to Him.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
Latest News
