Friday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

All In: Following Christ with Heart, Life, and Mission

Today’s readings offer us a powerful glimpse into the mission of Jesus and the call to discipleship. In Luke 8:1-3, we see Our Lord actively traveling from town to town—a man on a mission—’preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God.’ His message was not only words; it was living action. He healed the sick, cast out demons, and most importantly, forgave sins. No wonder people were drawn to Him. His presence brought hope, healing, and renewal.

But the Gospel reading does more than show us Christ’s mission—it shows us the response of those who were touched by it. The twelve apostles followed Jesus, yes, but Luke also highlights the women who followed Our Lord—Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna. These women had experienced the healing of Christ firsthand, and they responded by committing their lives and resources to support His mission. They didn’t just admire Jesus from a distance; they chose to walk with Him and be part of His saving work.

This same challenge and invitation comes to us today. The Lord’s mission continues—not on foot through Galilean towns, but through the lives and witness of His disciples here and now. The question is: how deeply have we allowed His message of good news to touch our hearts and change our lives?

As we reflect, the words of St. Paul in our first reading from 1 Timothy 6:2c-12 shine as a spiritual examination. St. Paul exhorts us to reject empty talk, envy, quarrels, and greed. He reminds us, ‘The love of money is the root of all evils,’ warning us not to chase temporary treasures. Instead, we are called to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Then Paul gives this beautiful exhortation: ‘Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of eternal life to which you were called.’

What does it mean to fight the good fight today? It means refusing to compartmentalize Jesus in our lives. It means we cannot assign our faith to just a few moments on Sundays and then live as we please the rest of the week. No. To follow Christ, as those early disciples did, is to allow Him to permeate every part of our lives—our work, our relationships, our decisions, and even our daily chores. Being a disciple isn’t confined to church attendance; it is about bringing Christ into the ordinary moments of daily life and letting Him reign there.

Imagine those first followers—yes, they walked with Christ from town to town, but they still faced daily needs and routines. Yet all that they did—their service, their hospitality, even their ordinary lives—was oriented towards the mission of proclaiming God’s Word and furthering His kingdom.

The choice of those first disciples to leave everything behind and follow Jesus invites us to examine the extent of our own willingness to commit. Among the many who heard Jesus preach, some rejected Him, some were intrigued, some believed but held back, and some gave themselves completely. What group are we in?

Saint Jerome observed, ‘Even among the holy women, there were those who followed Jesus not merely with their feet, but with their devotion and service.’ They were all in. And their example urges us to do the same.

Reflect today, on how much of your life is truly consecrated to the Lord. Ask yourself: how much time do I spend in prayer? In reading His Word? In learning about and speaking of the faith? And even more, how often do I invite Jesus into my daily decisions, my work, and my relationships?

Let us strive not just to follow Jesus with our lips, but with our lives. Let us be ‘all in’ not out of obligation, but out of love. For when the good news of Jesus truly takes hold of your heart, it changes you—and like those early disciples, you will not be the same again.