Daily Readings - Sat Jan 26 2019
First Reading - 2 Timothy 1.1-8 or Titus 1.1-5
2 Timothy
1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,2To Timothy, my beloved child:Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.3I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.4As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.5I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,7for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.8Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,
Titus
1Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness,2in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began3and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;4To Titus, my true child in a common faith:Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.5This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you--
Luke
1After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go.2And he said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.3Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.4Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road.5Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace be to this house!'6And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you.7And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house.8Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you.9Heal the sick in it and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.'
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the call to live out our faith with courage and trust in God’s providence. In the first reading from 2 Timothy, St. Paul encourages Timothy to “stir into flame the gift of God” that he has received through the imposition of hands. Paul reminds Timothy of the faith that has been passed down through his family and urges him not to be ashamed of the Gospel, even in the face of persecution or hardship. This passage emphasizes the importance of perseverance and boldness in living out our faith, trusting that God’s grace will sustain us.
In the Gospel, Jesus sends out 72 disciples ahead of him to prepare the way for his visit to various towns. He instructs them to travel lightly, without unnecessary provisions, and to rely on the hospitality of those they meet. Jesus also warns them that they will face challenges, likening them to “lambs among wolves.” Yet, despite these challenges, they are to proclaim the nearness of the kingdom of God and bring healing to those they encounter. This passage highlights the importance of trust in God’s providence and the need for generosity and openness in sharing the Gospel.
Both readings remind us that living as disciples requires courage, humility, and trust in God’s plan. Like Timothy, we are called to fan into flame the gifts we have received and to witness to the Gospel without fear. Like the 72 disciples, we are called to go out into the world with simplicity and trust, relying on God’s grace to sustain us. In our daily lives, this means being open to the opportunities God gives us to share our faith, whether through words or actions, and to trust that He will provide for us as we do so. Let us ask for the grace to live with the same boldness and generosity, knowing that the kingdom of God is near.