A Meditation on 1 Tim. 4:8–16 and Mark 10:15–21
In the Spirit of Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria, Confessor
On this Saturday within the third week after the Octave of Pentecost, the Church gives us two profound texts for meditation. From Saint Paul, we receive a pastoral exhortation to holiness of life, vigilance in doctrine, and tireless labor for the salvation of souls. From Saint Mark’s Gospel, we are confronted with the innocence of children and the piercing words of Our Lord to the rich young man—words which Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria, zealous reformer and priest, took deeply to heart.
Let us reflect on these readings in the spirit of the saints, drawing particularly from the writings of the Fathers.
✠ “Exercise Thyself Unto Godliness” (1 Tim. 4:7)
Saint Paul sets before Timothy—and in him, all who would serve the Church—the ideal of a life conformed not to worldly success or strength, but to godliness. He makes the stark comparison: “Bodily exercise is profitable to little: but godliness is profitable to all things” (v. 8). In our age, consumed with physical appearances and temporal success, this is a needed reminder. The Apostle speaks of that interior discipline of soul, the constant striving toward holiness.
Saint John Chrysostom comments on this passage with great clarity:
“Paul does not simply say, ‘Follow after godliness,’ but ‘Exercise thyself,’ showing the necessity of toil and endurance. For just as athletes strip themselves and give themselves wholly to their training, so must the Christian dedicate himself to virtue.”
(Homilies on 1 Timothy, Hom. XIII)
Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria lived this truth fervently. His reforms called the clergy to authentic holiness, rooted in the crucified Christ and nourished by the Eucharist. He believed reform must begin with the heart, and that priests must themselves be living examples of what they preach, just as Paul says: “Be thou an example to the faithful in word, in conversation, in charity, in faith, in chastity” (v. 12).
✠ “Suffer the Little Children to Come Unto Me” (Mark 10:14)
In the Gospel, we see Our Lord welcoming children and teaching that “whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, shall not enter into it” (v. 15). This childlike simplicity is not naiveté, but purity of heart and humility—virtues that the worldly heart resists.
Origen, commenting on this passage, writes:
“To become as a child is not to become foolish or thoughtless, but to imitate the innocence and simplicity of children, their readiness to believe, and their love.”
(Commentary on Matthew, Bk. XIII)
This sets the stage for Our Lord’s encounter with the rich young man—sincere, yet unwilling to relinquish his attachments. Christ beholds him and loves him (Mark 10:21), but tells him that one thing is lacking: “Sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor… and come, follow Me.” The words are not merely a command—they are an invitation into deeper union with Christ, through the way of the Cross.
This verse resonated deeply with Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria, who urged Christians to embrace the folly of the Cross, to despise the vanity of the world, and to imitate the Crucified with childlike trust and radical generosity.
✠ “Give Attendance to Reading, to Exhortation, and to Doctrine” (1 Tim. 4:13)
Paul’s instruction to Timothy echoes the very structure of the Church’s own spiritual training: Lectio Divina, the liturgy, and the faithful preaching of the Word. The true reform of the Church, which Saint Anthony championed, must be grounded in these three: sacred Scripture, sound doctrine, and fervent charity.
Saint Gregory the Great, in his Pastoral Rule, reminds pastors that:
“The lips of the priest must guard knowledge, but his life must reflect what he teaches, lest his words condemn him.”
(Regula Pastoralis, Part I, ch. 2)
Saint Anthony exemplified this. His foundation of the Barnabite Fathers was rooted in both deep study and apostolic zeal. He knew that without the interior flame of charity, exterior works would be fruitless.
✠ A Final Exhortation: “Neglect Not the Grace That Is in Thee” (1 Tim. 4:14)
Saint Paul’s admonition to stir into flame the gift of God finds perfect expression in Saint Anthony’s life. He saw in the corruption of the clergy and the lukewarmness of the faithful not cause for despair, but a summons to holiness. His life reminds us that reform begins within, and that childlike humility, godly discipline, and unwavering fidelity to Christ must be the marks of every true disciple.
Let us today examine ourselves:
- Do we live with the holy simplicity of children?
- Are we willing to leave behind all to follow Christ?
- Do we stir daily the gift of grace given in our Baptism and Confirmation?
May the example and prayers of Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria enkindle in us a greater hunger for holiness, and a readiness to respond to Christ’s call with joyful, childlike love.
“Let the love of Christ crucified penetrate deep into your bones and heart.”
– Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria
✠ Collect (Feast of S. Antonius Maria Zaccaria)
Deus, qui sanctum Antonium Mariam Confessorem tuum, ad renovandam in Ecclesia tuam populum excitasti: da, quaesumus; ut eius exemplo, nos quoque melioris vitae studio accendamus, et gratiam tuam semper efficaciter prosequamur. Per Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum…
O God, who didst raise up blessed Anthony Mary, Thy Confessor, to renew the spirit of charity in Thy Church: grant, we beseech Thee, that being instructed by his teaching and example, we may be inflamed with the same spirit and ever walk in newness of life. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ…