Daily Gospel

We remember today Sts. Timothy and Titus. Timothy and Titus were more than companions of Paul in his missionary journey. They were his coministers in the work of evangelization. Paul believed in team ministry; thus, having preached the Gospel in a particular place, he moved on to other places and normally entrusted the newly founded Christian community to the care of good Christian men (and women?). To Timothy, Paul gave the care of the Church in Ephesus while the Church in Crete he entrusted to Titus. Paul referred to both Timothy and Titus as “sons in the faith” because these two men were, in the first place, also fruits of his missionary toil.

Let us be keenly aware of the importance of remembering our own collaborators in our different apostolates and ministries. They are important, not only because of the assistance they give us, but because they are primarily important to Jesus Himself. Like us, who have been called to a particular ministry or are involved in a specific apostolate in and of the Church, they too have been called and given a significant share in the work of the Kingdom.

The first moment is the moment of prayer. Prayer brings us all together in love. Prayer melts differences that often wound an otherwise healthy working relationship. Prayer always affirms, nourishes, and deepens the bonds that exist.

The second moment is the moment of joy. It is rather easy for us to remember our co-workers when we are in need of consolation or affirmation and when we are standing alone in making a point. It is always hypocritical for any ministry or apostolate to claim that it endeavors to bring joy to others when its ministers remember one another only when sadness befalls them. Our co-ministers should be the first one we minister to.

The third moment is the moment of need. Our collaborators are given to us by the Lord so that we do not have to carry the burden of the work of the Kingdom alone. We do not have to be ashamed to turn to them and be helped. The Lord Himself, who already is the Messiah, invited others to share in His work for the Kingdom. Fr. Bobby T.

REFLECTION QUESTION: How is my relationship with my co-workers, co-ministers, or collaborators in my community?

Lord Jesus Christ, although You are the Messiah of the world, You deemed it worthy to invite us in the work of the Kingdom. Thank You. May we be tireless workers in Your vineyard. Help us to always value the significance of team ministry and show our appreciation of one another as we go about our ministries and apostolates. May our love for our collaborators in the work of the Kingdom be a potent evangelizing example for those we serve. Amen.

Sts. Timothy and Titus, bishops, pray for us.

“…I thank God for you.” – 2 Timothy 1:3

Boyet and Vicky are two very good friends of mine. We worked together previously in one company yet managed to grow closer even as we pursued different career paths after our employment in the said company.

Two years ago, we decided to meet regularly and just share one another’s joys, burdens and dreams. We decided we would be each others’ support system. We committed to an honest and transparent relationship – no judgments, no prejudices. But that’s not to say that there is no admonition. We try as best as possible to help one another lead a godly life – whether through uplifting words of encouragement or stinging reminders of what is right and true.

They say you have found a treasure when you have found a good friend. Well I’ve found two. They are to me what Timothy is to Paul – people who have integrity, who can be trusted and will stand by me through anything.

In your spiritual progress, try to look for the Timothies in your life. We need to welcome them in our lives for both accountability and support. Roy M.

REFLECTION:
Who are your best friends?

Thank You, Lord, for our Timothies.

By: Rissa S.

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” – John 1:29

In the Old Testament, when the angel of death claimed all the firstborn sons in Egypt, Israel’s sons were spared. How? Each family took a lamb that was free from any defect, slaughtered it and applied its blood on the doorposts of their homes. Whenever the angel of death saw this sign, it passed over that house and went to the next. In other words, the slaughtered lamb took the place of the firstborn, saving his life. This is the festival called Passover that Jews commemorate to this day.

After celebrating the joyful Christmas season and welcoming Jesus as a wonderful God-Child who has come to our world, it’s difficult to picture Him as the man who would later be brutally scourged then crucified on the cross. But that is the realization the passage above gives us.

Because of our sins, we deserved the death sentence (Romans 6:23). But Jesus took upon himself our sins to rescue us (Galatians 1:4). Just as the Passover lamb spared the lives of Israel’s firstborn, Jesus, the Lamb of God, saved us from eternal damnation. For that we should be eternally grateful.
REFLECTION:
“The center of salvation is the Cross of Jesus, and the reason it is so easy to obtain salvation is because it cost God so much.” (Oswald Chambers)

Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving, honor, power, and might be to the Lamb of God!