Tending the garden of the Lord

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Friday, Memorial of Sts. Timothy & Titus, Bishops, 26 January 2024
Titus 1:1-8 <*(((>< + ><)))*> + <*(((>< + ><)))*>  Luke 10:1-9

How lovely to celebrate
a day after the Feast of the
Conversion of St. Paul the Memorial
of his two co-workers in you, O Lord
Jesus Christ: St. Timothy
and St. Titus.

First of all, a reminder to us all
that your work, Lord, 
never stops after us; 
it is our responsibility to ensure
those after us shall continue your work
of witnessing the Gospel,
making you present in the world,
and tending your beautiful
garden of the faithful.
After all, we are like St. Titus,
"a child in common faith" of 
our parents,
teachers and catechists,
pastors,
brothers and sisters,
friends
and everyone who made you Jesus
known to us in word and in deed.

For this reason I left you in Crete so that you might set right what remains to be done and appoint presbyters in every town, as I directed you.

Titus 1:5

We praise and thank you,
dear Jesus for the trust 
in calling us to be your co-workers;
remind us always to never forget
the vineyard.
the garden,
the flock,
the Church
is not ours but yours;
we are mere stewards
like St. Paul and his co-workers
St. Titus and St. Timothy.

Inspire us dear Jesus
to imitate St. Titus who worked
to reconcile the people of Crete
with their founder St. Paul;
let us be bridges of peoples,
promoting peace and unity,
not creating cults around us
consciously or unconsciously
like many of your pastors
these days.

Let us keep in mind
like St. Titus and St. Timothy
that we we simply do your work
in the way you want it be done.
Amen.

St. Timothy
and St. Titus,
pray for us!