Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 01-26-05, Memorial, Sts. Timothy & Titus, bishops

Good to see you. When I posted this this morning I wondered about how 'similar' the Gospel would be. And it does follow the same lines with no major thought jumps.

although on a thorough reading, rather than just a scan there is a lot of difference. The Douay-Rheims lists a lot of politcally incorrect phrases. LOL! I love it.

One Bread, One Body

<< Wednesday, January 26, 2005 >>

Sts. Timothy & Titus

2 Timothy 1:1-8 or
Titus 1:1-5

Psalm 110

Mark 4:1-20

View Readings

A SOW-SOW HARVEST

“What the sower is sowing is the word.” —Mark 4:14

In His parable of the sower, Jesus doesn’t mention anything about the farmer except that he “went out sowing” (Mk 4:3). However, we can conclude the following about the sower from Jesus’ parable:

“God’s word is living and effective” (Heb 4:12). The seed, that is, the word of God (Mk 4:14), grew regardless of the skill and holiness of the farmer. God’s word is far greater than those who sow it.
The only skill the farmer needed was to get out there in the field and put the seed out (see 2 Tm 4:2). Evangelists fail only when they keep the word to themselves.
The farmer used the broadcast method of sowing, that is, he threw the seed everywhere. Likewise, we evangelists must spread God’s word everywhere (see Mt 24:45). We must never filter out those people we think will not be receptive. Our efforts are never wasted, even if it seems so to us (see Is 49:4; 1 Cor 15:58).
In Jesus’ time, a good harvest was a seven to eight fold increase. A “thirty- and sixty- and a hundredfold” harvest (Mk 4:20) is miraculous. God’s word does not return to Him void, but achieves His great purposes (Is 55:10-11).

What might look like barren ground to us who sow can be instantly changed by Jesus into good ground. So, sow!

Prayer: Jesus, I love You. I dedicate myself to feeding Your sheep with Your word (Jn 21:17).

Promise: “Stir into flame the gift of God bestowed when...hands were laid on you.” —2 Tm 1:6

Praise: “Thanks be to God, Who has put an equal zeal for you in the heart of Titus!” (2 Cor 8:16)

**The only skill the farmer needed was to get out there in the field and put the seed out (see 2 Tm 4:2). Evangelists fail only when they keep the word to themselves.**

Evangelization is the #1 thing that we should all be doing. Spreading the Word of God!