Whether we were born into a family of believers or having entered into the larger family of Christ Jesus by our baptism, we are all One Body in Him. We therefore must keep the faith alive and strong by fanning into a Hot Holy smouldering flame; the gift we received from God our Heavenly Father by living in the Spirit. So that everyone in the world can witness the love of Jesus by our Love for them and for one another.
We must strive with all vigour and conviction to encourage one another to attend community and family prayer meetings so as to centre ourselves on the Word of God so as to live out our lives according to His Will for us.
Jesus we are Yours as You are ours! Bless and keep all in Your loving care. Holy Spirit live in us and be our guide. Amen
Saints Timothy and Titus pray for us.
First reading
2 Timothy 1:1-8
Fan into a flame the gift God gave you
From Paul, appointed by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus in his design to promise life in Christ Jesus; to Timothy, dear child of mine, wishing you grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord.
Night and day I thank God, keeping my conscience clear and remembering my duty to him as my ancestors did, and always I remember you in my prayers; I remember your tears and long to see you again to complete my happiness. Then I am reminded of the sincere faith which you have; it came first to live in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I have no doubt that it is the same faith in you as well.
That is why I am reminding you now to fan into a flame the gift that God gave you when I laid my hands on you. God’s gift was not a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power, and love, and self-control. So you are never to be ashamed of witnessing to the Lord, or ashamed of me for being his prisoner; but with me, bear the hardships for the sake of the Good News, relying on the power of God who has saved us and called us to be holy.
Gospel
Mark 3:31-35
Who are my mother and my brothers? Those that do the will of God
The mother and brothers of Jesus arrived and, standing outside, sent in a message asking for him. A crowd was sitting round him at the time the message was passed to him, ‘Your mother and brothers and sisters are outside asking for you.’ He replied, ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ And looking round at those sitting in a circle about him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother and sister and mother.’
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