26 January 2024 | Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, bishops , (Mass Readings for Republic Day of India - included)

Reading 1 : 2 Tm 1:1-8

Gospel Mk 4:26-34

Jesus said to the crowds:

“This is how it is with the Kingdom of God;

it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land

and would sleep and rise night and day

and the seed would sprout and grow,

he knows not how.

Of its own accord the land yields fruit,

first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.

And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once,

for the harvest has come.”

He said,

“To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God,

or what parable can we use for it?

It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground,

is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.

But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants

and puts forth large branches,

so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.”

With many such parables

he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it.

Without parables he did not speak to them,

but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

 Reflection: 

This parable of the mustard seed reminds us that the kingdom of God operates in a mysterious way, often unseen and unknown to us. Jesus is telling us to emphasize the importance of faithfulness and patience in sowing seeds of the Gospel, by  trusting God  at work. It reminds us that our small acts of obedience and faithfulness can have significant impact in God's kingdom. It is also an encouragement to embrace our role in the growth and expansion of the kingdom, knowing that even the smallest acts of love, kindness, and obedience can make a big difference in the lives of others.

Activity: 

Be faithful sowers, trust in God at work, and play your part in the growth of God’s reign in the world.

Republic Day (for India) Mass for Various needs of the Nation

1 Tim 2:1-8

Gospel Jn 8: 31-42

 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,  and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”

 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave[a] to sin.  The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.  I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you.  I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”

 They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did,  but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.”  Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.