Monday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

E100:18.a – Paul to the Leaders

Elders and Deacons – 1 Timothy 3:1-16 (NLT)

Leaders in the Church

1 Timothy 3  This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.” 2 So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. 3 He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. 4 He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. 5 For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?

6 A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. 7 Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.

8 In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money. 9 They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience. 10 Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons.

11 In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do.

12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well. 13 Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.

The Truths of Our Faith

14 I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, 15 so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.

16 Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith:

Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory.

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Prayer

Faithful Father, we joyfully lift up the families of our Pastors and Church Leaders.

• Holy Spirit, we ask You to fill their homes with Your gentleness, peace, joy, and Godly order. We lift up their marriages and we ask You to bless them psychologically, emotionally and sexually. Bless their children to mature academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually.
• Lord, strengthen and encourage those families who feel overwhelmed by the ministry. We ask that You protect our Pastors, Church Leaders and their families from the onslaughts of the devil and the disrespect of people. Please help them to maintain balance in their public and private lives.
• Father, help our Pastors, Church Leaders and their families to not yield to temptation; but deliver them from the evil one.

We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

“Come Holy Spirit ( I need Thee)”

O Holy Spirit, descend plentifully into our hearts. Enlighten the dark corners of our neglected dwelling and scatter there Thy cheerful beams.(St. Augustine)

Closing Sentence

The Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!