SATURDAY 26 JANUARY 2019

by | Jan 25, 2019 | Evangelium

Saints Timothy and Titus

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.

White

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Gospel Acclamation: 2Co 5:19

Alleluia, alleluia!God in Christ was reconciling the world to himself, and he has entrusted to us the news that they are reconciled. Alleluia!

 

Gospel : Mark 3:20-21

Jesus went home, and once more such a crowd collected that they could not even have a meal. When his relatives heard of this, they set out to take charge of him, convinced he was out of his mind.

 

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

Saints Timothy and Titus, whom we celebrate today, were close companions of Saint Paul. Paul ordained them as bishops and gave them a share in his missionary work. This feast can be occasion for us to reflect on the importance of parenthood, both biological and spiritual, in the transmission of the faith. Timothy received his faith from his mother, Eunice, who received it from her own mother, Lois. Paul, for his part, considered himself to be a spiritual father to Timothy and Titus, and this capacity, he wrote letters to them to encourage them in the faith and instruct them on how to organise their respective communities. Can parents and godparents of today boast of the same efforts? What do we do to help our children and godchildren grow in the faith? Let us resolve today to take our role in the spiritual growth of the children God has entrusted to us seriously.