Daily Readings for January 26, 2016

Memorial of Sts. Timothy and Titus, bishops

1ST READING

Timothy and Titus, proteges of Paul, were given the responsibility to care for the communities in Crete and Ephesus. Paul established these  communities with the help of others and now it is time for him to move on to new grounds. He assigned Timothy and Titus to care for these communities and pastor them so that they will grow in their faith. We need mentors in our lives of faith. Let us seek the wisdom of those who have preceded us in living the Gospel.

2 Timothy 1:1-8 (or Titus 1:1-5)

1 Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God for the promise of life in Christ Jesus, 2 to Timothy, my dear child: grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 I am grateful to God, whom I worship with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, as I remember you constantly in my prayers, night and day. 4 I yearn to see you again, recalling your tears, so that I may be filled with joy, 5 as I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and that I am confident lives also in you. 6 For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. 7 For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. 8 So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God.

P S A L M

Psalm 96:1-2, 2-3, 7-8, 10

R: Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.

1 Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all you lands. 2 Sing to the Lord; bless his name. (R) Announce his salvation, day after day. 3 Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples, his wondrous deeds. (R) 7 Give to the Lord, you families of nations, give to the Lord glory and praise; 8 give to the Lord the glory due his name! (R) 10 Say among the nations: the Lord is king. He has made the world firm, not to be moved; he governs the peoples with equity. (R)

GOSPEL

Let us always respect the role of the bishops in the Church. We may not always agree with how they do things but let us try to make their job as easy as possible by working with them and not against them. God has given the Catholic Church with lines of authority that are necessary for its unity. Let us pray for those in authority that they will use it well for the benefit of the people and never for their own gain.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor and to proclaim liberty to captives.

Mark 3: 31-35 (or Luke 10:1-9)

31 The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house. Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him. 32 A crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.” 33 But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 34 And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 35 For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”

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