The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today present the mission to Timothy and Titus to remind us of our Baptismal anointing as priest, prophet, and leader.
The reading from the Second Letter to Timothy offers thanksgiving and encouragement.
* [1:4–5] Purportedly written from prison in Rome (2 Tm 1:8, 17; 4:6–8) shortly before the writer’s death, the letter recalls the earlier sorrowful parting from Timothy, commending him for his faith and expressing the longing to see him again.
* [1:6] The gift of God: the grace resulting from the conferral of an ecclesiastical office. The imposition of my hands: see note on 1 Tm 4:14.
* [1:8] Do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord: i.e., of preaching and suffering for the sake of the gospel. (2 Timothy, CHAPTER 1, n.d.)
The reading from the Letter to Titus describes Titus' mission in Crete.
* [1:1–4] On the epistolary form, see note on Rom 1:1–7. The apostolate is the divinely appointed mission to lead others to the true faith and through it to eternal salvation (1–3). (Titus, CHAPTER 1, n.d.)
Psalm 96 offers praise to God Who Comes in Judgement.
* [Psalm 96] A hymn inviting all humanity to praise the glories of Israel’s God (Ps 96:1–3), who is the sole God (Ps 96:4–6). To the just ruler of all belongs worship (Ps 96:7–10); even inanimate creation is to offer praise (Ps 96:11–13). This Psalm has numerous verbal and thematic contacts with Is 40–55, as does Ps 98. Another version of the Psalm is 1 Chr 16:23–33. (Psalms, PSALM 96, n.d.)
The USCCB selection of the Gospel of Mark is a parable of a Lamp under a Bushel Basket.
* [4:1–34] In parables (Mk 4:2): see note on Mt 13:3. The use of parables is typical of Jesus’ enigmatic method of teaching the crowds (Mk 4:2–9, 12) as compared with the interpretation of the parables he gives to his disciples (Mk 4:10–25, 33–34) to each group according to its capacity to understand (Mk 4:9–11). (Mark, CHAPTER 4, n.d.)
The CCCB selection of the Gospel of Luke is the Mission of the Seventy.
* [10:1–12] Only the Gospel of Luke contains two episodes in which Jesus sends out his followers on a mission: the first (Lk 9:1–6) is based on the mission in Mk 6:6b–13 and recounts the sending out of the Twelve; here in Lk 10:1–12 a similar report based on Q becomes the sending out of seventy-two in this gospel. The episode continues the theme of Jesus preparing witnesses to himself and his ministry. These witnesses include not only the Twelve but also the seventy-two who may represent the Christian mission in Luke’s own day. Note that the instructions given to the Twelve and to the seventy-two are similar and that what is said to the seventy-two in Lk 10:4 is directed to the Twelve in Lk 22:35. (Luke, CHAPTER 10, n.d.)
Thomas Quinn comments that our priorities clearly need to be aligned with our ability to discern God’s will for us and our need or duty to share our grace with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Mark includes several parables in today’s gospel reading. I can only respond with my impressions (reflections) for each parable. Certainly, many of you may have other, deeper meanings.
Place your light on the lampstand; let it shine. Let the light of your faith conquer the darkness.
Nothing is truly hidden unless it may again be made visible.
Anyone who has ears that are functional should hear but do so with discernment. Be open to the word of God but beware of lies and false prophets.
If you measure a person or a thing, be sure that you expect the same measure to be used to evaluate you. Another thought may be to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you. “ (Quinn, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Called to shine in the midst of darkness,” by Tertullian, 160-225 A.D.
"Why does the Lord call us the light of the world? Why has he compared us to a city on a hill (Matthew 5:14)? Are we not called to shine in the midst of darkness, and stand up high for those most sunk down? If you hide your lamp beneath a bushel (Matthew 5:15; Luke 8:16, 11:33), you will soon notice that you yourself will be in the dark. You will find others bumping into you. So what can you do to illumine the world? Let your faith produce good works. Be a reflection of God's light. The good is not preoccupied with darkness. It rejoices in being seen (John 3:21). It exults over the very pointings which are made at it. Christian modesty not only wishes to be modest, but also it wishes to be beheld as what it actually is." (excerpt from ON THE APPAREL OF WOMEN 2.13) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on 2 Timothy 1:1-8 comments that Timothy and Titus had their work cut out for them. That’s because no local church is immune to the kinds of divisions, scandals, and controversies that we often see in the world. Paul knew how hard it could be for believers to let go of attitudes and ways of relating that they knew before their conversion. Perhaps that’s why he told Timothy, “Bear your share of hardship for the Gospel” and why he told Titus, “Let no one look down on you” (2 Timothy 1:8; Titus 2:15).
On this day, when we honor two of the first bishops ever to serve the Church, let’s pray for our own bishop. Let’s ask the Spirit to pour a special blessing of refreshment and peace upon him today. You might also consider writing your bishop a small note of encouragement. Let him know you are grateful for his leadership and his commitment to the Lord. Tell him that you want to work with him in advancing the gospel. And by all means, assure him of your prayers!
“Jesus, let every bishop know your presence and your love in a special way today.” (Meditation on 2 Timothy 1:1-8, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the more developed ecclesiology in the Pastoral Epistles to Timothy and Titus that suggests they were written by a disciple of Paul. The Jewish mother of Timothy and the Gentile origin of Titus and their duties to lead their communities form the foundation for presbyters and priests. Friar Jude reminds us of the both/and nature of our private faith and our light of faith to others.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, describes the tension between priestly and prophetic tasks—both of which are necessary for healthy religion. There are two great strains of spiritual teachers in Judaism, and if the truth is told, in all religions. There’s the priestly strain that holds the system together by repeating the tradition. The one we’re less familiar with is the prophetic strain, because that one hasn’t been quite as accepted. Prophets are critical of the very system that the priests maintain.
We’re living in a most amazing time because we have it in Pope Francis right now. We very seldom have a pope who is also a prophet: one who holds the tradition together, respects and conserves the tradition, but at the same time is often quite critical of the bishops and the priests (as he well should be).
Jesus enters the synagogue and of course he recognizes the evil ones, and they recognize him (Mark 1:24). They’re exposed. This is the first exorcism, or casting out of a demon, and it’s in a most amazing place. It’s not in the marketplace, it’s not in the prostitutes, it’s not in the tax collectors. The devil is in the synagogue itself! This is no small symbol.
The only way evil can succeed is to disguise itself as good. And one of the best disguises for evil is religion. Just pretend to love God, go to church every Sunday, recite the creed, and say all the right things. Someone can be racist, be against the poor, hate immigrants, and be totally concerned about making money and being a materialist, but still go to church each Sunday and be “justified” in the eyes of religion. (Rohr, 2023)
We are called by the Spirit to put the lamp of our faith, hope and love into places where it can be seen as we seek guidance in our priestly and prophetic roles.
References
Luke, CHAPTER 10. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 26, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/10
Mark, CHAPTER 4. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 26, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/4
Meditation on 2 Timothy 1:1-8. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 26, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/01/26/594485/
Psalms, PSALM 96. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 26, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/96?1
Quinn, T. (n.d.). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved January 26, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/012623.html
Rohr, R. (2023, January 26). We Need Priests and Prophets — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 26, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/we-need-priests-and-prophets-2023-01-26/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 26, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=jan26
Titus, CHAPTER 1. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 26, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/titus/1?1
2 Timothy, CHAPTER 1. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 26, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2timothy/1?1
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