Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: January 26,2026

Date: Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus

Scripture Text:   2 Timothy 1:1-8

Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God for the promise of life in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my dear 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, as I remember you constantly in my prayers, night and day. I yearn to see you again, recalling your tears, so that I may be filled with joy, as I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and that I am confident lives also in you.

For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God. 

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The powerful first reading from Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy reminds us of not only the gifts the LORD has given to us but of our responsibility to use them for the glory of the LORD and for love of one another. And Paul urges us to do this with courage and love, confident that the strength we will need will come to us from the LORD.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Am I actively and consistently seeking the LORD’s help in identifying my gifts and using them lovingly? Do I actively and consistently seek the Spirit’s gift of courage?

Praying:

LORD,  Spirit who gifts us, graces us, and guides us on our journey home to life in abundance, stir within us and increase our resolve to cooperate with your gifts and graces and guidance. We ask our heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, that we bear the fruit of love in this world for your glory. Grant that we may grow into the ones You created us to be and the disciples our loving Savior calls us to be. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.