Share the Gospel with others

January 26, Third Thursday in Ordinary Time
Timothy and Titus, Bishops Obligatory Memorial
First Reading: Second Timothy 1: 1-8 or Titus 1: 1-5; Gospel: Mark 4: 21-25

In his letter to Timothy, Paul recalls that Timothy’s faith was influenced by the example of his mother and grandmother. Paul encourages Timothy to continue to build on that strong foundation and to share the Gospel with others. Jesus echoes that instruction by telling his followers to put the light of their faith on a lampstand and to share it generously.

We can share our faith in many ways, according to our state in life. Parents and godparents can bring children to mass and teach them their prayers. We can invite friends to come to church with us or to participate in a church class or service project. Perhaps the most profound way of sharing our faith is through our joyous example. If we live our lives generously, reaching out to those who are less fortunate and, on the margins, take our responsibilities seriously, and act with justice and humility, all in an atmosphere of prayer, we can help to ignite the flame of faith in those we meet.