26 Jan – Memorial for Sts. Timothy and Titus, bishops
St. Timothy (d. 97) was the son of a Greek gentile, his mother Eunice was Jewish. He was converted to Christianity by St. Paul around the year 47. He was a partner, assistant and close friend of Paul. He was a missionary as well, and became head of the Church in Ephesus. He was the recipient of two canonical letters from St. Paul, and was stoned to death for opposing the worship of Dionysius.
St. Titus (d. 96) was also a disciple of St. Paul and was the recipient of a canonical letter from him. He was the first bishop of the Church in Crete.
- Patron Saint Index
2 Tim 1:1-8
Mk 4:26-34
“Night and day…the seed is sprouting and growing; how, he does not know.”
I was retrenched at age 50. Unable to get another corporate job, I joined the largest agency in Great Eastern Life as a humble insurance agent. I remember my first meeting with the big boss. He was one of 6 agents who came together to start the agency. He told us his story. His grandmother was the second wife of a wealthy businessman. His father (the only child) grew up despised by the main family. They were cut off from the family fortune and grew up poor.
When he was 11 years old (in the year 1981), he went with his father to visit the rich family during Chinese New Year. His dad needed money for some emergency expenses. His rich uncle took out two fifty-dollar bills and threw them onto the floor in front of all the people (guests and family), and shouted that his father and him were all useless. His father picked up the money, thanked the uncle and left.
I was seated just in from of my big boss when he told this story. I remember very clearly his eyes turning red as he was tearing. That day, he promised his dad he will not be useless. The seed to help his father regain his dignity was set at age 11. My big boss studied hard and graduated from NUS with an Arts degree and no significant achievements. One year into his working life, the family had financial problems and he became an insurance agent to try and do better in his life. His first few years were really hard, but he persevered. He says the seed planted at age 11 kept him going. Slowly, financial success came, and it snowballed. Presently his success is legendary!
Today’s gospel from Mark tells of a man who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seeds sprout and grow, though he does not know how. God’s kingdom is like the scattered seed. Its beginnings are hidden, small and quiet. Yet they will not stay hidden for long. When conditions are right, the kingdom will grow slowly and eventually, become mighty.
As a cradle Catholic, the seed was planted at my baptism when I was a baby. However, right up to age 29, it was really dormant. Yes, I attended Sunday mass faithfully, but I never read the bible nor joined any church ministry. I knew my faith did not mean much to me. Thinking back, I really do not know why I chose to remain a Catholic. There were several instances where I could have left the faith. It was only when I got married that I knew the reason. It was because of Mother Mary. I wrote in previous Oxygen reflections that I could not give up praying the rosary and believing in Mary.
God has infinite patience with us. In his own time and wisdom, the seed of faith will blossom. For me, it has indeed started. However, I must step up and grow it faster. The words of my big boss are so true. To have mighty faith, I must be a better version of myself today than I was yesterday!
(Today’s OXYGEN by Andrew Sia)
Prayer: Father, give us the desire to read the bible and pray every day, so that our faith can sprout and grow.
Thanksgiving: Thanks be to you Lord, for bringing new converts to the faith that they enrich the whole church.
OXYGEN 
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