Friday of week 24 in Ordinary Time
Saint Januarius, Bishop, Martyr
First reading 1 Timothy 6:2c-12
Saint Paul warns Timothy against distorted teachings that twist religion into arguments, pride, or even personal gain. Such attitudes, far from nurturing faith, give rise to envy, rivalry, insults, and divisions. The danger is clear: when faith is reduced to self-interest or intellectual battles, it loses its heart which is the living relationship with Christ. Instead, Paul points to the true path: “pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.” These virtues are not abstract ideals but the fabric of authentic discipleship, visible in daily life. To live them is to “compete well for the faith”, not against others, but against the temptations that drag us away from the Gospel. On the feast of Saint Januarius, who laid down his life as a witness to Christ, we see the noblest confession of faith: to embrace eternal life with courage, perseverance, and love. This reading challenges us to examine whether our faith leads us to division or to holiness, to selfish gain or to the generosity of Christ who calls us to eternal life. Let’s reflect: Does my faith lead me into arguments and self-interest, or am I sincerely pursuing righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness so that I may truly grasp the eternal life to which I am called?
Don Giorgio