Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs 

1 Timothy 3:1-13
Psalm 100(101):1-3,5,6
Luke 7:11-17

REMAIN TRUSTWORTHY

In today’s first reading, Paul fires up Timothy with a powerful message about trustworthiness! Who should Timothy look to as a reliable guide? What does it even mean to be trustworthy, and why does it matter so much? As I dove into these questions, I uncovered an incredible truth in the New Testament—it mentions the word “trustworthy” a striking 21 times throughout the Gospels and other writings! The very first mention comes from Jesus Himself, who says that if someone is trustworthy in small matters, they will be just as reliable in bigger ones (Luke 16:10). For the early church, being trustworthy was essential.

Want to know the secret to spotting someone trustworthy? It all comes down to their words and actions. As St. Luke makes it clear, a person who lies, displays dishonesty, and disrespects others just can’t be trusted. The amazing thing is, you don’t need to be an expert to figure this out—even a child can tell the difference between honesty and deceit!

So, who should we put our trust in? The answer is profound: God and God’s Word. We can find solid ground in the amazing acts of Love, like Jesus’ incredible sacrifice on the Cross. Plus, the countless men and women throughout history who have shared the Gospel of Jesus—filling us with its core values, teachings, and the life-changing message of grace—are truly trustworthy and deserving of our full acceptance!

St. Paul challenges us to embody trustworthiness in our own lives. He also urges us to be wary of those who do not uphold this standard. The rest of the first reading paints a vivid picture of the differences between trustworthy individuals and those who are not. What a powerful, timely message for our world today!

Fr Joseph Osho