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 life that is in Christ Jesus,2To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.3I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.4Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.5I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.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 did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.8So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God,
Titus
1Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness--2a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,3and at his appointed season he brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,4To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.5The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.
Luke
1After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.2He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.3Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.4Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.5"When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house.'6If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you.7Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.8"When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you.9Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God is near 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.