Readings: 2 Timothy 1:1-8, Ps. 96:1-3,7-8,10, Luke 10:1-9
“Rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:6-7)
Today, the church celebrates Saints Timothy and Titus, bishops in the early church. We believe they were among the seventy that Jesus sent out in today’s Gospel passage into various towns and villages to spread the Good News. In today’s First Reading, we read the wise words of St. Paul in a letter addressed to Timothy, wherein St. Paul encourages the young bishop to fan into flames the gifts of the Holy Spirit received at ordination. This letter contains some lessons for our reflection.
1. We Have the Spirit of Power: God has not given us the spirit of timidity (or cowardice). Timidity (bowing to pressure from others, failing to take a stand for God, being afraid of the devil and his agents) is not a virtue. St. John would say: “Little children, you are from God, and have conquered them; for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4).
Just as a single candle is never intimidated by the darkness of an entire room, we must never be intimidated by the crowd that surrounds us. Who says we have to blend in with the culture of immorality? Jesus said: “Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38)
2. We Have the Spirit of Love: Amid our struggles and hardship, it is very easy for us to slide into selfishness, that is, thinking only of ourselves rather than working for the good of others. St. John teaches us: “Beloved, let us love one another because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8).
Jesus sent out the seventy in today’s Gospel passage in the spirit of love. Matthew tells us, “He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36). When there is love in our hearts, we reach out to others physically and spiritually.
3. We Have the Spirit of Self-Control: Do you know you are your greatest enemy? It is easy to say no to others. It is even easier to say no to the devil, but when it comes to myself (my cravings and desires), I often realise it is a very difficult battle. If we lack self-discipline, we can never grow, and we become obstacles to the spread of the Gospel. This is why Jesus gave stringent rules to the seventy in today’s Gospel passage: “Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and salute no one on the road… remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide… do not go from house to house.” If you succeed in conquering yourself, you have conquered the world.
St. Timothy was born in Lystra, Lycaonia, to a Greek father and Eunice, a Jewish convert. He met St. Paul in Lystra and soon became his faithful companion. To reduce tensions with the Jewish community, Timothy, whose mother was Jewish, agreed to undergo circumcision as Paul recommended. He then joined Paul on his second missionary journey. Timothy was crucial in the early Christian Church, often serving as Paul’s messenger.
When Paul had to flee Berea due to opposition, Timothy remained to support the growing Christian community there. His significant work in Thessalonica led Paul to write his first letter to the Thessalonians after receiving updates from Timothy in Corinth. He likely stayed with Paul during his imprisonments in Caesarea and Rome. Eventually, Timothy became the first bishop of Ephesus. His unwavering dedication to his faith is evident, and he is believed to have been martyred in Ephesus, stoned for opposing a pagan festival.
St. Titus was a disciple and companion of St. Paul to whom the great saint addressed one of his letters. Paul referred to Titus as “my true child in our common faith”. Not mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, he was noted in Galatians, where Paul writes of journeying to Jerusalem with Barnabas, accompanied by Titus. He was then dispatched to Corinth, Greece, where he successfully reconciled the Christian community there with Paul, its founder. Titus was later left on the island of Crete to help organise the Church, though he soon went to Dalmatia (Croatia). According to Eusebius of Caesarea in the Ecclesiastical History, he served as the first bishop of Crete. He was buried in Cortyna (Gortyna), Crete.
Let us pray: O God, who adorned Saints Timothy and Titus with apostolic virtues, grant, through the intercession of them both, that, living justly and devoutly in this present age, we may merit to reach our heavenly homeland. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops Liturgical Colour: White. Bible Study: 2 Timothy 1:1-8, Ps. 96:1-3,7-8,10, Luke 10:1-9)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu