Proclaim God

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012615.cfm) reminds us that we should proclaim God.

Today, we celebrate the memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus. The first reading shows us two options –both written by Paul, one to Timothy and one to Titus. Two different people, but the message is similar – to continue doing God’s work and proclaim God.

We too are called to do that. Probably the reason both readings have the same message is to tell us that the task is not for one person alone. We are all called to proclaim God, to glorify him, to testify as we continue God’s work.

We may have a different calling from Titus and Timothy, but we are called to still do the same. We need not be full time evangelists like them to do God’s work. It does not also mean that because we are not doing full time mission and evangelization, our work means less to God. We are all called differently to do different things – but wherever we are and whatever we do, we are called to serve God, to do his work, and proclaim Him.

Proclaiming God should be an everyday decision and action. We need not speak in front of thousands to tell others about God. The way we live, the way we talk, the way we drive, the way we treat others – they all contribute to our proclaiming God through our lives. May we always remember this and be motivated to be creative and happy, no matter how simple we think our proclamation to God is.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another week. Thank you for another opportunity to do things for you. Lord, thank you for the reminder that you are asking me to proclaim you through my life. Thank you that you gladly accept even the little things I can do for you. Help me Lord to be always aware and sensitive of my purpose, so that in my simple everyday ways, I may proclaim and glorify you through my life. Amen

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

-----------------------------------------------

January 26, 2015

Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops

Lectionary: 520/317

Reading 1 2 Tm 1:1-8

Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God

for the promise of life in Christ Jesus,

to Timothy, my dear child:

grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father

and Christ Jesus our Lord.

I am grateful to God,

whom I worship with a clear conscience as my ancestors did,

as I remember you constantly in my prayers, night and day.

I yearn to see you again, recalling your tears,

so that I may be filled with joy,

as I recall your sincere faith

that first lived in your grandmother Lois

and in your mother Eunice

and that I am confident lives also in you.

For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame

the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands.

For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice

but rather of power and love and self-control.

So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord,

nor of me, a prisoner for his sake;

but bear your share of hardship for the Gospel

with the strength that comes from God.

Or Ti 1:1-5

Paul, a slave of God and Apostle of Jesus Christ

for the sake of the faith of God’s chosen ones

and the recognition of religious truth,

in the hope of eternal life

that God, who does not lie, promised before time began,

who indeed at the proper time revealed his word

in the proclamation with which I was entrusted

by the command of God our savior,

to Titus, my true child in our common faith:

grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our savior.

For this reason I left you in Crete

so that you might set right what remains to be done

and appoint presbyters in every town, as I directed you.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 7-8a, 10

R. (3) Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Sing to the LORD a new song;

sing to the LORD, all you lands.

Sing to the LORD; bless his name.

R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Announce his salvation, day after day.

Tell his glory among the nations;

among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.

R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Give to the LORD, you families of nations,

give to the LORD glory and praise;

give to the LORD the glory due his name!

R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Say among the nations: The LORD is king.

He has made the world firm, not to be moved;

he governs the peoples with equity.

R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Alleluia See 2 Tm 1:10

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death

and brought life to light through the Gospel.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 3:22-30

The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus,

“He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and

“By the prince of demons he drives out demons.”

Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables,

“How can Satan drive out Satan?

If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

And if a house is divided against itself,

that house will not be able to stand.

And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided,

he cannot stand;

that is the end of him.

But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property

unless he first ties up the strong man.

Then he can plunder his house.

Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies

that people utter will be forgiven them.

But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit

will never have forgiveness,

but is guilty of an everlasting sin.”

For they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.”