Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops
- Readings for the Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, bishops
Reading 1 2 Timothy 1:1-8
Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God
for the promise of life in Christ Jesus,
to Timothy, my dear child:
grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father
and Christ Jesus our Lord.
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.
I yearn to see you again, recalling your tears,
so that I may be filled with joy,
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.
For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame
the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands.
For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice
but rather of power and love and self-control.
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.
Or Titus 1:1-5
Paul, a slave of God and Apostle of Jesus Christ
for the sake of the faith of God’s chosen ones
and the recognition of religious truth,
in the hope of eternal life
that God, who does not lie, promised before time began,
who indeed at the proper time revealed his word
in the proclamation with which I was entrusted
by the command of God our savior,
to Titus, my true child in our common faith:
grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our savior.
For this reason I left you in Crete
so that you might set right what remains to be done
and appoint presbyters in every town, as I directed you.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 7-8a, 10
R. (3) Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Give to the LORD, you families of nations,
give to the LORD glory and praise;
give to the LORD the glory due his name!
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
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. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Alleluia See 2 Timothy 1:10
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mark 3:22-30
The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus,
“He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and
“By the prince of demons he drives out demons.”
Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables,
“How can Satan drive out Satan?
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
And if a house is divided against itself,
that house will not be able to stand.
And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided,
he cannot stand;
that is the end of him.
But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property
unless he first ties up the strong man.
Then he can plunder his house.
Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies
that people utter will be forgiven them.
But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit
will never have forgiveness,
but is guilty of an everlasting sin.”
For they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.”
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
January 26, 2026 // Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Luke 10:1-9
Reflect on the Word //
I had stopped in various Catholic churches before, but this time I was determined to stay for the entire Mass. As a Jewish believer in Jesus, to me the Mass was both intriguing and foreign. Such as when the priest pronounced, “Go forth, the Mass is ended,” and everyone responded, “Thanks be to God.” I thought Catholics were thankful that the Mass was over and the priest had dismissed them! Later, as I learned the meaning of the closing words in Latin, "Ite, missa est," I understood that the faithful are sent from the Mass, on mission to spread the Gospel and act as God's presence in the world.
In today’s Gospel we see Jesus, the master of the harvest, sending His disciples to gather others into His kingdom. His words aren’t sugarcoated with promises of welcoming crowds, comfortable lodgings, or sumptuous feasts. Instead, they will go into hostile territory, like defenseless lambs among wolves. Jesus’ instructions are clear and direct, and His urgent mission must not be marked by delays, distractions, or encumbrances. They must travel light, trust in God’s providence for all their needs, and be ready to do His works.
We don’t hear how these disciples responded to their assignment. What were their facial expressions and body language? Did Jesus leave time for Q & A? They were most likely honored and excited to represent their master. Yet perhaps they also felt afraid and unprepared to venture away from the comfort of Jesus’ presence, into unfavorable conditions and possible rejection. They weren’t professionally trained in ministry; they were devoted followers of the Messiah, willing to sacrifice comfort, reputation, security, and even their own lives.
It can be easy for us to want to stay put, comfortable and content, nourished by the Eucharist and our Catholic community. But at the end of each Mass, Jesus also sends us out to bring the Good News to all—even those who may be hostile or indifferent. Thanks be to God that we have been called, sent, and equipped to take up our mission to bring God’s love to a world that so desperately needs it!
Relate to the Lord // What would it look like for you to live on mission right where you are?
