Daily Readings - Fri Jan 26 2018
First Reading - 2 Timothy 1.1-8
2 Timothy
1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,2To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.3I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;4Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;5When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.6Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
Gospel - Luke 10.1-9
Luke
1After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.2Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.3Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.4Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.5And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.6And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.7And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.8And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:9And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages about faith, trust, and the call to share God's love with the world. The first reading from 2 Timothy reminds us of the importance of living out our faith with courage and confidence. Paul, writing to Timothy, encourages him to embrace the gift of faith that has been passed down through his family and to not be afraid to witness to the Gospel. This letter, written during a time of great challenge for the early Church, emphasizes that our faith is a treasure to be cherished and shared, even in the face of adversity.
The Gospel from Luke takes us into the heart of Jesus' mission. Jesus sends out 72 disciples ahead of him, instructing them to go out into the world with simplicity and trust in God's providence. He tells them not to be burdened by material possessions or distractions, but instead to focus on the task at hand: proclaiming the Kingdom of God and bringing healing to those in need. This mission is not just for the disciples of Jesus' time; it is a call to all of us to step out in faith, trusting that God will provide what we need to fulfill our purpose.
These readings remind us that living as followers of Christ requires boldness, humility, and a willingness to rely on God's grace. Just as Timothy is urged to stir into flame the gifts of faith and ministry, we too are called to use our talents and resources to serve others and share the Good News. Like the disciples sent out in pairs, we are called to move beyond our comfort zones and trust in God's plan, even when the journey seems uncertain. Let us ask ourselves: How can we live more simply, trust more deeply, and share more generously the love of God with those around us? May we, like Timothy and the disciples, be faithful stewards of the gifts we have received, and may our lives bear witness to the power and joy of the Gospel.