Daily Readings - Wed Jan 26 2022
First Reading - 2 Timothy 1.1-8 or Titus 1.1-5
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;
Titus
1Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;2In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;3But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;4To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.5For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
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, courage, and trust in God. The first reading from 2 Timothy reminds us that our faith is a gift passed down through generations, and we are called to embrace it without shame. Paul urges Timothy to rekindle the grace of God within him, emphasizing that God does not give us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and self-discipline. This passage invites us to reflect on our own faith journey and how we might be called to share it with others, even in the face of challenges.
The Gospel from Luke complements this by showing Jesus sending out 72 disciples to spread the Good News. He instructs them to trust in God’s providence, to travel lightly, and to bring peace and healing to those they encounter. This mission is not just for the disciples of old; it is a call to all of us to step out in faith, trusting that God will provide what we need. Just as the disciples were sent as lambs among wolves, we too are called to be vulnerable yet courageous in sharing the love of Christ with a world that often feels uncertain and divided.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How am I being called to share my faith today? Am I holding back because of fear or doubt? The readings remind us that true strength comes not from ourselves but from God. Let us embrace the spirit of power, love, and self-discipline that God has given us. Let us go forth with open hearts, trusting in His providence, and bring His peace and healing to a world that so desperately needs it.