What then is the purpose of light, if not to shine? To shine brightly so as to drive out all darkness. That is precisely what every Christian, disciples of Christ Jesus our Lord must do. We are to be His light into the world, to love, heal and drive out all darkness in the lives of those who do not yet know Him.
We have power from on High to love others into the kingdom. We must therefore be disciplined, exercising self control so as to be powerful witnesses of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
We want more of You Lord in our lives! More! Come Holy Spirit fill us with Your presence! Drive out all forms of darkness within us, so that we can pure lights of Him who sends us into the world. Amen
Saints Timothy and Titus pray for us…
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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.
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Gospel
Mark 4:21-25
A lamp is to be put on a lampstand. The amount you measure out is the amount you will be given
Jesus said to the crowd, ‘Would you bring in a lamp to put it under a tub or under the bed? Surely you will put it on the lamp-stand? For there is nothing hidden but it must be disclosed, nothing kept secret except to be brought to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to this.’
He also said to them, ‘Take notice of what you are hearing. The amount you measure out is the amount you will be given – and more besides; for the man who has will be given more; from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away.’
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