First Reading (2 Timothy 1:1-8)
Beginning of the Second Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy.
Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, in reference to the promise of life that we have in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I give thanks to God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as my ancestors did when I constantly remember you in my prayers, day and night. Remembering your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I recall the sincere faith that you have, the same faith that your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice had before. Surely, you have it too. For this reason, I urge you to rekindle the flame of the gift of God that you received through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. Do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me, his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, fortified by the power of God.
— The word of the Lord.
— Thanks be to God.
Gospel (Lk 10:1-9)
— Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke.
— Glory to you, Lord.
At that time, the Lord chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them out two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he himself was about to go. He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Don’t carry a money bag, traveling bag, or sandals, and don’t greet anyone along the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this household!’ If a friend of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay at the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the worker is worthy of his wages. Don’t move from house to house. When you enter any town, and they welcome you, eat the things set before you, heal the sick in it, and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.'”
— The Gospel of the Lord.
— Praise to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, may the peace of the Lord be with you. Today, we gather to celebrate the Word of God and delve into the depths of His wisdom, seeking guidance and inspiration for our daily lives. Allow me to commence our spiritual journey with a reflection on an experience we all share: the journey of everyday life.
Imagine, for a moment, that you are about to embark on a journey, an expedition that extends beyond the boundaries of what is familiar. Each of us is summoned to a unique mission, a divine task that challenges us to step out of our comfort zone and fully trust in God’s grace. In this context, I want to direct our attention to the biblical passages that will illuminate our path today: the First Reading from St. Paul to Timothy (2 Timothy 1:1-8) and the Gospel according to Luke (Luke 10:1-9).
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to Timothy, invites us to remember the divine flame that burns within us—a flame not of timidity but of power, love, and self-control. These words resonate deeply in our hearts, for often we encounter challenges that seem to suffocate us, threatening to extinguish the divine flame we carry. However, St. Paul reminds us of the importance of rekindling and nurturing this flame, as it is through it that God performs great wonders in and through us.
And here, dear faithful, we are called to make an immediate connection with our own lives. How often do we feel daunted by the challenges we face at work, in our relationships, or even in the internal battles against the temptations of the world? It is easy to allow fear and anxiety to quench the divine flame entrusted to us, but St. Paul exhorts us to resist this darkness and embrace the light of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.
We live in a world that often seems spiritually arid, a mission field where the harvest appears scarce. Precisely at this point, the Gospel according to Luke offers us a glimpse of hope and purpose. By narrating the mission of the seventy-two disciples sent by Jesus, Luke describes a scene that echoes in our own hearts. Jesus sends them as sheep among wolves, as messengers of peace in a world filled with conflicts.
In this context, the metaphor of sheep among wolves may seem frightening, but we must remember that the sheep are guided by the Good Shepherd. Jesus’ invitation to the disciples is not to be lost in fear but to trust fully in divine providence. Similarly, we are called to be courageous disciples, facing the challenges of everyday life with the confidence that the Lord is with us every step of the way.
Imagine, if you will, that each of us is like a candle lit by God, destined to illuminate the dark places of this world. May our light not be hidden by fear or indifference but shine in such a way that all around us see the good works that glorify the Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16). Sometimes, it is in the small everyday actions, in gestures of kindness and compassion, that our light shines most brightly.
It is important to note that both St. Paul and Jesus do not call us to an easy journey free from challenges. On the contrary, we are warned that we will encounter wolves, face tribulations, and, at times, feel like lost sheep. Yet, it is precisely in these situations that we are invited to trust in divine providence, seek the guidance of the Good Shepherd, and stand firm in our faith.
Dear brothers and sisters, as we progress in the Christian journey, we are encouraged not to be discouraged by difficulties. Instead, we are called to persist in faith, to keep the divine flame in our hearts burning, to sow the seeds of the Gospel, and to be a light in a world that often seems shrouded in darkness.
To reinforce these principles, allow me to share a story that illustrates the importance of persevering in faith, even when circumstances seem unfavorable. Once, a traveler came across a field full of vibrant flowers. He marveled at the beauty of the colors and the fragrance that filled the air. However, upon closer inspection, he noticed that each flower had been planted in rocky and seemingly barren soil.
Intrigued, the traveler asked one of the flowers how it managed to bloom in such challenging soil. The flower responded with wisdom: “It is true that the soil is difficult, but I do not focus my attention on the rocks around me. Instead, I seek the sunlight, absorb the rainwater, and allow my roots to find nutrients even in the cracks of the rocks. Thus, even amid aridity, I have found ways to bloom and spread beauty around me.”
My beloved, this story teaches us that, like the flower in rocky soil, we can flourish even in the most challenging conditions. In our lives, we will often encounter rocks of challenges, but rather than concentrating on those stones, we should seek the light of Christ, absorb the grace emanating from above, and allow our spiritual roots to find nutrients even in the crevices of adversity.
Throughout this spiritual journey, it is vital that we support each other as a community of faith. We are not alone in the mission entrusted to us. Let us remember that Jesus sent the disciples two by two, reinforcing the idea of communion and mutual support. At this moment, I would like to encourage each of you to form spiritual partnerships, to walk side by side, sharing the joys and challenges of the Christian life.
Reflecting on these biblical passages and the story of the flower in rocky soil challenges us to act practically in our daily lives. Here are some guidelines to apply these principles in our lives:
Nurturing the Inner Flame: Dedicate daily time to prayer and reading the Word of God. Allow the Holy Spirit to renew the divine flame in your heart.
Sowing the Seeds of the Gospel: Be proactive in sharing the message of the Gospel with those around you. This can be done through words of encouragement, acts of kindness, and personal testimony.
Walking Together: Seek spiritual partnerships, individuals with whom you can share your journey of faith. Support each other, pray for one another, and celebrate victories together.
Facing Challenges with Faith: When you encounter stones on the path, do not be discouraged. Trust in divine providence, seek God’s guidance, and continue the journey with faith and courage.
Being a Light in the World: Be attentive to opportunities to be a light to those around you. Small gestures of love and compassion can have a significant impact.
By applying these principles in our lives, we will not only strengthen our own faith but also become instruments of transformation in the world around us.
At this moment, I invite all of us to a brief moment of silence. Allow yourselves to reflect on the proclaimed words and how you can apply them in your daily lives.
In conclusion, my beloved, I reaffirm God’s promise that, even in the face of challenges, He is with us. Let us, therefore, be courageous workers in the Lord’s vineyard, trusting in the grace that sustains us and the light that guides us. May each of us, as we leave this church, be motivated to live a life that reflects the glory of God and to sow the seeds of the Gospel wherever we go.
May the blessing of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit descend upon each of us and strengthen us in the mission entrusted to us. Amen.
