Saints Timothy and Titus Gospel: Mark 3:22-30 Imitating Saints Timothy and Titus, Living in a Worthy Manner
Today, the Church celebrates the memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus. Saint Timothy was an assistant to the Apostle Paul during his missionary work in Greece and Asia Minor, and Saint Titus was also a companion of the Apostle Paul. Both saints, in their own ways, assisted the Apostle to the Gentiles, chosen by Christ Himself, in fulfilling his mission. Therefore, it is fitting for us to reflect on our own conduct in daily life.
In our daily lives, we often inadvertently say hurtful words—sometimes when we see others as stronger than us, sometimes when we see those who are less capable in various aspects doing better than us, and sometimes even in conflicts with our closest relatives. The root cause is actually our vanity influencing us. In life, we also face situations similar to what Jesus encountered today. When we live out the spirit of the Gospel and proclaim it to the world through our words, our tongues, and our actions, we may sometimes hear opposing voices. When we encounter such reactions, we are often tempted to argue and compete, seeking to prove our superiority in certain areas. All of this stems from following the impulses of the flesh. If, however, we are guided by the Holy Spirit, our outward actions will produce the fruits of charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. For those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us also follow the guidance of the Spirit (cf. Gal 5:22, 24–25).
When we compete with others, it is the devil attacking our hearts, creating discord between us and our brothers and sisters, our family, our friends, and our Church, thereby causing division. These human-made divisions gradually affect our relationship with God. As Jesus teaches us elsewhere: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Matt 9:12–13).
Now, let us offer our prayers to God:
O God, who adorned Saints Timothy and Titus with apostolic virtues, grant through the intercession of them both, that, living justly and devoutly in this present age, we may merit to reach our heavenly homeland. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time – Sunday of the Word of God Gospel: Matthew 4:12-23 The Word of God: Calling People to Follow Him
Our emotions often change with the environment, and our bodies react accordingly to these emotional shifts. These reactions can affect our relationships with others: when we are positive, our connections are joyful; when negative, they may fracture, even leading to conflict; when pessimistic, we can spread that pessimism to those around us.
Like the people living in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali—among the Gentiles—who often grieved under the shadow of death, we too may feel trapped in sadness. But today, Jesus Christ, the true light of the world for all, comes to them, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, comforting their sorrowful hearts, and rekindling in them the hope of eternal life through His love.
When Jesus called Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John, they were busy with their livelihoods as fishermen. Immediately after His call, they left everything behind—their nets, their boats, their old way of life—and chose to follow Him.
Through Baptism and the anointing of the Holy Spirit, we too have been freed from the bondage of sin and death, becoming children of God, a holy nation, a chosen people. We are called to imitate Christ daily, living the joy of the Gospel so that others may see God’s infinite mercy in us and be moved to renounce their own attachments and turn to Him, journeying toward holiness.
St. Simon Peter, St. Andrew, St. James, St. John, you generously obeyed the Word of God, leaving everything to follow Him. Pray for us, that we may be worthy of proclaiming His Word to the world. Amen.
Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church Gospel: Mk 3:20-21 The True Relatives of Jesus
Very often, just like the crowd who gathered again in the house. We assemble at God’s sacred altar to satisfy our own needs. Among us, some come to Jesus out of vanity; others come to Him seeking healing for their ailments; still others come to satisfy the hunger of their bodies. This is exactly what Jesus meant when He said, “You are looking for me not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.” (cf. John 6:26) For we all center our thoughts on ourselves, instead of taking the Holy Word of God as the foundation and guide for all our actions.
In fact, the Apostles who followed Christ toiled day and night to attend to the crowds gathering around Jesus, so much so that they did not even have time to eat (cf. Mark 3:20). Through their deeds, they have set an example for us. We too should, just as they did, live out the spirit of the Holy Word in our daily lives, generously dedicate our whole lives to assisting Christ, and fulfill the work of redemption that He has begun in us.
On this day, let us pray for the help of our Lord Jesus Christ, that we may imitate the virtuous example of Saint Francis de Sales, always follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit, become the true kin of Jesus, and align our thoughts, words and deeds with His. Amen.
全属于祢 
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