Friday, September 19, 2003
24th Week in Ordinary Time

1st Reading: 1 Tim 6:2-12
Gospel: Lk 8:1-3

Jesus walked through towns and countryside, preaching and giving the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve followed him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and diseases: Mary called Magdalene, who had been freed of seven demons; Joanna, wife of Chuza, Herod's steward; Suzanna and others who provided for them out of their own funds.

Commentary

"Fight the good fight of the faith." Life is difficult and so is a life of faith. Tensions, struggles, problems, crises, doubts, frustrations, come to challenge us. In one of the visions of St. Anthony Claret, he saw the angels and the good spirits on the one side and on the other side the host of evil spirits fighting for him. It is a fight between the good spirit and the bad spirit. Discernment is therefore essential if one is to be faithful to his/her Christian vocation. A Christian is one who is always open to the good spirit and opposed to the bad spirit. Everyday we are bombarded with so many images, advertisements, news, events, and influences, how do we react? Do we take into consideration our faith response? Do our choices mirror our Christian position? The advice of Paul is clear: "Fight the good fight of faith."

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