Readings for the Feast of Sts. Timothy and Titus Bishops Feast Day: January 26
2 Timothy 1:1-8 orTitus 1:1-5
Psalm 112:1-9 or
Psalm 23
John 10:1-10 or Luke 10:1-9 First Reading 2 Timothy 1:1-8
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,
To Timothy, my beloved child:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
I am grateful to God—whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did—when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.
Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God.
or
Titus 1:1-5 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that is in accordance with godliness, in the hope of eternal life that God, who never lies, promised before the ages began— in due time he revealed his word through the proclamation with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Saviour,
To Titus, my loyal child in the faith we share:
Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Saviour.
I left you behind in Crete for this reason, that you should put in order what remained to be done, and should appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.
The Psalm Psalm 112:1-9
O praise the Lord.
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord :
and greatly delights in his commandments.
His children shall be mighty in the land :
a race of upright men who will be blessed.
Riches and plenty shall be in his house :
and his righteousness stands for ever.
Light arises in darkness for the upright :
gracious and merciful is the righteous man.
It goes well with the man who acts generously and lends :
who guides his affairs with justice.
Surely he shall never be moved :
the righteous shall be held in everlasting remembrance.
He will not fear bad tidings :
his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
His heart is confident and will not fear :
he will see the downfall of his enemies.
He gives freely to the poor :
his righteousness stands for ever, his head is uplifted in glory.
or
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd :
therefore can I lack nothing.
He will make me lie down in green pastures :
and lead me beside still waters.
He will refresh my soul :
and guide me in right pathways for his name’s sake.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil :
for you are with me, your rod and your staff comfort me.
You spread a table before me
in the face of those who trouble me :
you have anointed my head with oil, and my cup will be full.
Surely your goodness and loving-kindness
will follow me all the days of my life :
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
The Gospel John 10:1-10 'Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.’ Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
or
Luke 10:1-9 After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the labourer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.”
Collect: Almighty God, who called Timothy and Titus to be evangelists and teachers, and made them strong to endure hardship: Strengthen us to stand fast in adversity, and to live righteous and godly lives in this present time, that with sure confidence we may look for our blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.