First reading 2 Timothy 1:1-8
Fan into a flame the gift God gave you
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.
Responsorial Psalm 95(96):1-3,7-8,10
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 Luke 10:1-9
Your peace will rest on that man
The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out ahead of him, in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself was to visit. He said to them, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest. Start off now, but remember, I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals. Salute no one on the road. Whatever house you go into, let your first words be, “Peace to this house!” And if a man of peace lives there, your peace will go and rest on him; if not, it will come back to you. Stay in the same house, taking what food and drink they have to offer, for the labourer deserves his wages; do not move from house to house. Whenever you go into a town where they make you welcome, eat what is set before you. Cure those in it who are sick, and say, “The kingdom of God is very near to you.”’
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Jesus’ ambassadors
Today, we celebrate the feast of Saints Timothy and Titus, St. Paul’s beloved companions and co-workers. They were often the missionaries St. Paul sent to the Christian communities he planned to visit. In this way, they were not only St. Paul’s valuable representatives but, more importantly, SS. Timothy and Titus became true ambassadors of Jesus Himself as the gospel tells us: “The Lord appointed…and sent them out ahead of him, in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself was to visit.”
Like the two saints, we are called to become Jesus’ own ambassadors. Ambassadors who, through our words, deeds and way of life, make Jesus’ presence seen and heard, felt and known. We do this by following His instructions in the gospel: to live simply with gratitude and trust in God, to desire peace and speak words of peace to others, to help the unfortunate and pray for the sick, and to be a friend to all, just as Jesus is. As we go, we ask Jesus to come and teach us how to be His ambassadors of life and love.
Reflective question:
To whom am I sent to be Jesus’ ambassador?
To whom am I sent to be Jesus’ ambassador?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year B” by Sr Monika Punan FMVD.
