Daily Readings - Thu Jan 26 2023
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 two powerful messages about living out our faith with courage and trust in God. The first reading from 2 Timothy reminds us of the importance of embracing our faith heritage and standing firm against fear. Paul encourages Timothy to revive the grace of God within him, highlighting that our faith is a gift passed down through generations. This reminds us to reflect on our own faith journey and the people who have helped shape it, urging us to stay committed despite challenges.
The Gospel from Luke shifts our focus to mission and trust in God's providence. Jesus sends out 72 disciples with minimal provisions, teaching them to rely on the hospitality of others. This lesson extends to us today, encouraging us to approach our life's work and challenges with humility and trust in God's plan. Whether in our careers, families, or communities, we are called to share the Good News and serve others, trusting that our needs will be met through God's grace.
These readings unite in their call to courage and trust. Like Timothy and the disciples, we face moments of hesitation and fear, but we are reminded that God equips us with virtue, love, and self-discipline. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God's providence and live out your faith boldly. Let us embrace our missions, whatever they may be, with confidence, knowing that God's peace and grace will guide and sustain us.