Timothy and Titus

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012618.cfm) reminds me again that I should proclaim God. 

Yesterday, I was reminded of the need and call to proclaim God. Today, as we commemorate Timothy and Titus, I am again reminded to proclaim God, just like them. 

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 that there are a lot of ways we can proclaim God, 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 day to love. 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. Lord, sorry for the times I am unwilling to do this. Sorry for being lazy and distracted. 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 day!

In Christ,

-g-

January 26, 2018

Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, bishops
Lectionary: 520/321

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 MT 11:25

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MK 4:26-34

Jesus said to the crowds:
“This is how it is with the Kingdom of God;
it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land
and would sleep and rise night and day
and the seed would sprout and grow,
he knows not how.
Of its own accord the land yields fruit,
first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once,
for the harvest has come.”

He said,
“To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God,
or what parable can we use for it?
It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground,
is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.
But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants
and puts forth large branches,
so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.”
With many such parables
he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it.
Without parables he did not speak to them,
but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.