20250918 EARNING RESPECT
18 September 2025, Thursday, 24th Week in Ordinary Time
First reading |
1 Timothy 4:12-16 |
Be an example to all the believers
Do not let people disregard you because you are young, but be an example to the believers in the way you speak and behave, and in your love, your faith and your purity. Make use of the time until I arrive by reading to the people, preaching and teaching. You have in you a spiritual gift which was given to you when the prophets spoke and the body of elders laid their hands on you; do not let it lie unused. Think hard about all this, and put it into practice, and everyone will be able to see how you are advancing. Take great care about what you do and what you teach; always do this, and in this way you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.
Responsorial Psalm |
Psalm 110(111):7-10 |
Great are the works of the Lord.
or
Alleluia!
His works are justice and truth,
his precepts are all of them sure,
standing firm for ever and ever;
they are made in uprightness and truth.
Great are the works of the Lord.
or
Alleluia!
He has sent deliverance to his people
and established his covenant for ever.
Holy his name, to be feared.
Great are the works of the Lord.
or
Alleluia!
To fear the Lord is the first stage of wisdom;
all who do so prove themselves wise.
His praise shall last for ever!
Great are the works of the Lord.
or
Alleluia!
Gospel Acclamation | 2Co5:19 |
Alleluia, alleluia!
God in Christ was reconciling the world to himself,
and he has entrusted to us the news that they are reconciled.
Alleluia!
Or: | Mt11:28 |
Alleluia, alleluia!
Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened,
and I will give you rest, says the Lord.
Alleluia!
Gospel | Luke 7:36-50 |
Her many sins have been forgiven, or she would not have shown such great love
One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to a meal. When he arrived at the Pharisee’s house and took his place at table, a woman came in, who had a bad name in the town. She had heard he was dining with the Pharisee and had brought with her an alabaster jar of ointment. She waited behind him at his feet, weeping, and her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them away with her hair; then she covered his feet with kisses and anointed them with the ointment.
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know who this woman is that is touching him and what a bad name she has.’ Then Jesus took him up and said, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ ‘Speak, Master’ was the reply. ‘There was once a creditor who had two men in his debt; one owed him five hundred denarii, the other fifty. They were unable to pay, so he pardoned them both. Which of them will love him more?’ ‘The one who was pardoned more, I suppose’ answered Simon. Jesus said, ‘You are right.’
Then he turned to the woman. ‘Simon,’ he said ‘you see this woman? I came into your house, and you poured no water over my feet, but she has poured out her tears over my feet and wiped them away with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but she has been covering my feet with kisses ever since I came in. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. For this reason I tell you that her sins, her many sins, must have been forgiven her, or she would not have shown such great love. It is the man who is forgiven little who shows little love.’ Then he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ Those who were with him at table began to say to themselves, ‘Who is this man, that he even forgives sins?’ But he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’
EARNING RESPECT
SCRIPTURE READINGS: [1 Tim 4:12-16; Ps 111:7-10; Lk 7:36-50]
There are some people who want to command respect through the power of their office. Just because they have been promoted or given a position of authority, they expect their subordinates to obey and do what they say. Bosses demand respect and obedience from their workers. Parents expect their children to listen to them. Even pastors expect their congregation to follow their direction and orders. Because we are so used to commanding and instructing others, we get carried away at times, thinking we are powerful and that everyone must listen to us–while we ourselves do not listen to those above us. The truth is that although we may hold some authority over others, we are all under authority as well. Even the Pope is under the authority of the Word of God, for he is its servant, not its master. Only God is above all.
However, the best way to earn the respect of those we lead is not by exercising our authority or office, but by example. This is especially true for young leaders, as in the case of Bishop Timothy. When young leaders are placed in authority over those older or more experienced, they may feel intimidated. Older members may think they know better and, at times, even despise the young leader, doubting his capability. They may ignore the younger leader and continue doing things the way they are accustomed to. And to avoid conflict or division, the young leader may be tempted to tolerate such behaviour. Yet, it is crucial that he seeks to win them over through his leadership and exemplary behaviour. This will take time, effort, and perseverance. We do not win over our opponents by force or authority, but by patience, love, and forgiveness.
This was why Paul advised the young Bishop Timothy in his ministry, saying, “Do not let people disregard you because you are young, but be an example to all the believers in the way you speak and behave, and in your love, your faith and your purity.” The first step that young leaders must do is to be an example in speech and conduct. We must show patience, generosity, and courtesy, especially in dealing with difficult people. We cannot allow anger or pride to control us when others treat us harshly. St Paul wrote to the Romans: “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God… Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Rom 12:14-21) Through patience, kindness, and steadfast love–by the grace of God–we will win over our sceptics.
Secondly, young leaders must be devoted to their ministry and be faithful to the tasks entrusted to them. In Timothy’s case, Paul exhorted him to “make use of the time reading to the people, preaching and teaching.” A Christian leader, besides living a life that reflects Christ’s teaching, must also nurture his people with the Word of God–through reading, preaching, and teaching. It is not enough to shepherd; we are also called to be prophets and teachers. Often, people act not out of malice but out of ignorance. Sometimes pride blocks them from hearing the Word. For such, the grace of humility is needed to receive it. Meanwhile, we must continue to proclaim and teach faithfully, not allowing falsehood to take root.
As St Paul wrote in his second letter wrote to Timothy: “I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favourable or unfavourable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.” (2 Tim 4:1-5) This explains why the bishop’s first and primary duty is to proclaim the Word of God–even before administering sacraments or governance.
Paul further urges us, “Take great care about what you do and what you teach; always do this, and in this way, you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.” This is why the bishop charges a candidate for ordination when the Book of the Gospel is given to him, “Believe what you read. Teach what you believe. Live what you teach.” Without conviction of faith and consistency of life, what we do will nullify what we say. No one will trust us if we lack integrity in our words and our actions. This is perhaps why many today have lost faith in leaders–both secular and religious–because of scandals and hypocrisy. As Paul advised: “Think hard about all this, and put it into practice, and everyone will be able to see how you are advancing.”
Ultimately, for these to be realized in our life and ministry, we need to place all our faith in God. The psalmist says, “To fear the Lord is the first stage of wisdom; all who do so prove themselves wise. His praise shall last for ever!” We need to count on God alone and not think that this is solely our endeavour. This is why we must rely on the grace of ordination, and for those who are not clergy, on their valid appointment. When God chooses us, He will qualify us. God does not expect us to do His work on our own strength. He would lead the way. To the leaders of Israel and the prophets, God gave the assurance of His presence and divine help. They only needed to stand firm and believe in Him whilst doing the best they could. So, too, in our ministry, the Sacrament of Ordination received by ordained ministers, the Sacrament of Matrimony by married couples, and the Sacrament of Confirmation received by mature Catholics are not merely ceremonies, but assurances of God’s grace, enabling us to fulfil our tasks and mission in life. This was why Paul reminded Timothy. “You have in you a spiritual gift which was given to you when the prophets spoke and the body of elders laid their hands on you; do not let it lie unused.”
Unfortunately, many of us do not find strength in the Sacraments. We forget the promises of God given to us through them. We need to return again and again to be reminded of God’s promises when we received the Sacraments and of what we are called to do. We need to refresh and reconnect with the joy and hope we experienced on the very day we received them. It is important, therefore, to make full use of the graces promised to us in the Sacraments. We should pray and allow ourselves to be filled once more with that same joy, reigniting the graces we have received. This is precisely what St. Paul conveyed to Timothy at the beginning of his second letter: “For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Tim 1:6f)
Let us learn from the Lord who said to the self-righteous Pharisee, “For this reason, I tell you that her sins, her many sins, must have been forgiven her, or she would not have shown such great love. It is the man that is forgiven little who shows little love.” The ultimate key to good and humble leadership is to recognise our own sinfulness, inadequacy, and to fall in love with Jesus, who gives us the strength and wisdom to shepherd His people with compassion, kindness, and forgiveness.
Best Practices for Using the Daily Scripture Reflections
- Encounter God through the spirit of prayer and the scripture by reflecting and praying the Word of God daily. The purpose is to bring you to prayer and to a deeper union with the Lord on the level of the heart.
- Daily reflections when archived will lead many to accumulate all the reflections of the week and pray in one sitting. This will compromise your capacity to enter deeply into the Word of God, as the tendency is to read for knowledge rather than a prayerful reading of the Word for the purpose of developing a personal and affective relationship with the Lord.
- It is more important to pray deeply, not read widely. The current reflections of the day would be more than sufficient for anyone who wants to pray deeply and be led into an intimacy with the Lord.
Note: You may share this reflection with someone. However, please note that reflections are not archived online nor will they be available via email request.
Written by His Eminence, Cardinal William SC Goh, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore © All Rights Reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment