THURSDAY, TWENTY FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
1 Tm 4: 12-16 Ps 111: 7-10 Lk 7: 36-50
FAITH IS LIVED; NOT JUST PROFESSED
Paul urges Timothy not to let his youth become an obstacle but to “set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity” (1 Tim 4:12). Authentic faith is not measured by age, experience, or status but by a life that bears the marks of Christ’s transforming power. Paul further exhorts him to “devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching, and to teaching,” underscoring that the Word of God must both be proclaimed with clarity and embodied with integrity.
The Gospel gives us a striking picture of this integrity in the unnamed sinful woman who anoints Jesus’ feet with her tears and perfume. Her actions, humble yet bold, scandalize Simon the Pharisee, who silently questions Jesus’ prophetic credentials. But Christ defends her, revealing that the depth of her love flows from the forgiveness she has received: “Her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown.” Here, true devotion is not about outward appearances or social standing but about a heart surrendered to grace.
What do we learn from the Word of God today?
- Faith is lived, not merely professed: Like Timothy, we are called to mirror Christ in our words, actions, relationships, and choices.
- God’s grace fuels our growth: Timothy’s gifts required nurturing, and the forgiven woman’s love sprang from mercy received.
- True devotion defies expectations: A young leader and a repentant sinner both embody the values of God’s Kingdom, where the humble are lifted up and the self-righteous are challenged.
Today, Christ still asks: “Will you love Me with your whole life and not just in words?” Whether we serve faithfully, like Timothy, or pour out extravagant love, like the forgiven woman, our lives can become living testimonies of God’s grace.
Response: Great are the works of the Lord.
Copyright ©2025 ©Springs of Living Water http://springs.carmelmedia.in