Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops
Scripture:
2 Timothy 1:1-8 or Titus 1:1-5
Mark 4:26-34
Reflection:
There is no forgiving heart of Jesus in the world without our hearts.
There is no consoling embrace of Jesus without our arms.
There is no loving gaze of Jesus without our eyes.
There is no Body of Christ in the world without us.
The parable of the small seed yielding a great harvest in today’s gospel is familiar to us all. Too often, though, I miss an essential element of that story. The seed needs a sower. There is a collaboration or partnership in the act of sowing seed. Both are necessary.
What is inspiring in the Acts of the Apostles, and specifically in today’s readings for the Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, is this collaboration. In this instance there is certainly Paul as a bold apostle of Jesus, but also Paul’s collaboration with Timothy and Titus. Jesus recruited the Apostles. Paul recruited Timothy and Titus, and they in turn are encouraged to “set right what remains to be done and appoint presbyters in every town, as I directed you.”
We do God’s work together. We sow the seeds of faith, hope, and love. These are not for us to keep for ourselves. They are given to us to share. Jesus needed partners in ministry. Paul needed partners. We now are those partners in proclaiming the Good News. We don’t need to profess religious vows or be ordained a priest. We can be Passionist Partners.
Many of us may be old enough to remember, “Ite, missa est,” The Body of Christ in us is sent forth into the world at the conclusion of celebrating the Eucharist. Go, is the command. Be Jesus’ partner in ministry in the world today.
Robert Hotz is a consultant with American City Bureau, Inc. and was the Director of The Passion of Christ: The Love That Compels Campaign for Holy Cross Province.