Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, bishops
Biographical Information about St. Timothy
Biographical Information about St. Titus
Readings for Friday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time
Commentary:
Reading 1 2 Tm 1:1-8
St. Paul writes to one of his key disciples, St. Timothy, from Rome where he is a prisoner. It is clear that the affection between the two of them is strong as Paul reminds him of his installation as Bishop (‘…the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands”). Paul encourages Timothy to remain strong and faithful to the Gospel, even in the face of opposition.
Or Ti 1:1-5
This selection is the introduction to St. Paul’s letter to Titus. In the second paragraph he lets us know what Titus’ mission is – to form the Church on Crete (which according to the best scholarship, Paul himself never visited.).
Responsorial Psalm Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 7-8a, 10
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
“Announce his salvation, day after day.” This song of praise to the Lord invites all humanity to participate in God’s salvation.
Gospel Mk 4:26-34
We are given two parables from the Gospel of St. Mark. The first is unique to Mark’s Gospel and follows the parable of the Sower we were given earlier this week. The mystery of the seed is analogous to Jesus’ own ministry which starts as a seed but grows to encompass the world.
The second parable, the parable of the Mustard Seed, echo’s the vision of the Kingdom of God described in Ezekiel Ezekiel 17:23; 31:6.
Reflection:
If we take the parable of the seed in today’s Gospel and run it out we find that its germination is critical. That is why God sent his only Son to make sure that His Kingdom and Holy Spirit were appropriately begun. Like a seed, Christ fell and died. He was put into the ground and the seed that is God’s Kingdom sprouted. It spouted first, as seeds do, with tender shoots, the Apostles. The Lord sent them nourishment in the Holy Spirit and at Pentecost the roots were set firm and the branches were set to divide.
If we look at the progress of that parable in our celebration today we find St. Paul, whose great conversion we celebrated yesterday addressing two of the major branches that have sprung from his own branching; Titus and Timothy. We know these two were key disciples of Paul. They traveled with him and acted on his behalf, building up the Church throughout the region.
According to tradition, they labored tirelessly for the Gospel and received the reward for their efforts. Timothy, according to history, was stoned while interrupting a pagan ritual and Titus passes to the next life on the island Paul had sent him to, Crete where the Church still venerates him as Patriarch.
Biographical Information about St. Timothy
Biographical Information about St. Titus
Readings for Friday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time
Commentary:
Reading 1 2 Tm 1:1-8
St. Paul writes to one of his key disciples, St. Timothy, from Rome where he is a prisoner. It is clear that the affection between the two of them is strong as Paul reminds him of his installation as Bishop (‘…the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands”). Paul encourages Timothy to remain strong and faithful to the Gospel, even in the face of opposition.
Or Ti 1:1-5
This selection is the introduction to St. Paul’s letter to Titus. In the second paragraph he lets us know what Titus’ mission is – to form the Church on Crete (which according to the best scholarship, Paul himself never visited.).
Responsorial Psalm Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 7-8a, 10
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
“Announce his salvation, day after day.” This song of praise to the Lord invites all humanity to participate in God’s salvation.
Gospel Mk 4:26-34
We are given two parables from the Gospel of St. Mark. The first is unique to Mark’s Gospel and follows the parable of the Sower we were given earlier this week. The mystery of the seed is analogous to Jesus’ own ministry which starts as a seed but grows to encompass the world.
The second parable, the parable of the Mustard Seed, echo’s the vision of the Kingdom of God described in Ezekiel Ezekiel 17:23; 31:6.
Reflection:
If we take the parable of the seed in today’s Gospel and run it out we find that its germination is critical. That is why God sent his only Son to make sure that His Kingdom and Holy Spirit were appropriately begun. Like a seed, Christ fell and died. He was put into the ground and the seed that is God’s Kingdom sprouted. It spouted first, as seeds do, with tender shoots, the Apostles. The Lord sent them nourishment in the Holy Spirit and at Pentecost the roots were set firm and the branches were set to divide.
If we look at the progress of that parable in our celebration today we find St. Paul, whose great conversion we celebrated yesterday addressing two of the major branches that have sprung from his own branching; Titus and Timothy. We know these two were key disciples of Paul. They traveled with him and acted on his behalf, building up the Church throughout the region.
According to tradition, they labored tirelessly for the Gospel and received the reward for their efforts. Timothy, according to history, was stoned while interrupting a pagan ritual and Titus passes to the next life on the island Paul had sent him to, Crete where the Church still venerates him as Patriarch.
Two Branches from a third branch, from the trunk that is the Apostles are formed. Where then are we today? We are the buds of the new growth. We have a sold foundation upon a tree of faith with roots so deep that the world itself would need to break apart to shake them. We know reach for the Son as do any new shoots. We pray today that we, like all those branches that support us may bare fruit in our time.
Pax
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