THURSDAY 26 January

SAINT TIMOTHY AND TITUS,

Bishops

Timothy and Titus were converted to Christianity by St Paul, and became his companions and helpers. He wrote them the so-called “pastoral” epistles, giving advice for pastors and people alike.

Entrance Antiphon: Ps 95: 3-4  

Tell among the nations his glory, and his wonders among all the peoples, for the Lord is great and highly to be praised.

Collect       

O God, who adorned Saints Timothy and Titus with apostolic virtues, grant, through the intercession of them both, that, living justly and devoutly in this present age, we may merit to reach our heavenly homeland. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

First reading: 2 Timothy 1: 1-8  

From Paul, appointed by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus in his design to promise life in Christ Jesus; to Timothy, dear child of mine, wishing you grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord. Night and day I thank God, keeping my conscience clear and remembering my duty to him as my ancestors did, and always I remember you in my prayers; I remember your tears and long to see you again to complete my happiness. Then I am reminded of the sincere faith which you have; it came first to live in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I have no doubt that it is the same faith in you as well. That is why I am reminding you now to fan into a flame the gift that God gave you when I laid my hands on you. God’s gift was not a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power, and love, and self-control. So you are never to be ashamed of witnessing to the Lord, or ashamed of me for being his prisoner; but with me, bear the hardships for the sake of the Good News, relying on the power of God who has saved us and called us to be holy.

Psalm 95(96): 1-3, 7-8, 10

R/ Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples.

O sing a new song to the Lord, sing to the Lord all the earth.  O sing to the Lord, bless his name.

Proclaim his help day by day, tell among the nations his glory and his wonders among all the peoples.

Give the Lord, you families of peoples, give the Lord glory and power; give the Lord the glory of his name.

Proclaim to the nations: ‘God is king.’ The world he made firm in its place; he will judge the peoples in fairness.

Gospel Acclamation: Ph 2: 15-16      

Alleluia, alleluia! You will shine in the world like bright stars because you are offering it the word of life. Alleluia!

Gospel: Mark 4: 21-25    

Jesus said to the crowd, “Would you bring in a lamp to put it under a tub or under the bed? Surely you will put it on the lamp-stand? For there is nothing hidden but it must be disclosed, nothing kept secret except to be brought to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to this.” He also said to them, “Take notice of what you are hearing. The amount you measure out is the amount you will be given – and more besides; for the man who has will be given more; from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

Prayer over the Offerings        

Receive, O Lord, we pray, the offerings of your people, which we bring in celebration of Saints Timothy and Titus, and, in your kindness, render us fully acceptable by giving us sincerity of heart. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon: Mk 16: 15; Mt 28: 20

Go into all the world, and proclaim the Gospel. I am with you always, says the Lord.

Prayer after Communion           

May the Sacrament we have received, O Lord our God, nourish in us that faith taught by the preaching of the Apostles and kept safe by the labours of Saints Timothy and Titus. Through Christ our Lord.

Meditation

Jesus Christ is the light of the world, the lamp that enlightens our lives; “whoever looks to him will shine” (Ps 33:6). He is the light of the world who came to reveal the Father to us, and the forces of darkness did not prevent him from going to the end of his mission. Even today, his Word, written in our hearts, enlightens us and brings us to the knowledge of the truth. As Christians, our vocation is to live each day as sons and daughters of the light. We must let the light of universal love that God himself brought forth in us on the day of our Baptism shine through and radiate, and the perfect manifestation of this light of love is the joy that we must produce around us.