IN MEMORY OF TIMOTHY AND TITUS
(A biblical refection on the Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus – Saturday, 26 January 2013)
First Reading: 2Timothy 1:1-8
Alternate First Reading: Tit 1:1-5; Psalms: Ps 96:8-10,15; Gospel Reading: Mk 3:20-21
The Scripture Text
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus,
To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
I thank God whom I serve with a clear conscience, as did my fathers, when I remember you constantly in my prayers. As I remember your tears, I long night and day to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you. Hence I remind you to 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 timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control.
Do not be ashamed then of testifying to our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but take your share of suffering for the Gospel in the power of God…… (2Tim 1:1-8 RSV)
Today the Church honors Timothy and Titus, fellow workers with Paul in spreading the Gospel. Timothy, the son of Greek father and a devout Jewish mother, was considerably younger than Paul. He joined Paul on his second missionary journey, helped him found the church at Philippi, and became a leader of the church of Ephesus (Acts 16:1-5; 1Tim 1:3). Titus, one of Paul’s most trustworthy helpers, was instrumental in the churches in Corinth and Crete (2Cor 8:16,23; Tit 1:5).
These men did not become saints because they were perfect human beings. Timothy, for example, was inexperienced and unsure of himself in his dealings with others. Paul had to remind him that Jesus had given him a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline what was more than capable of overcoming natural timidity (2Tim 1:7). Apparently, Timothy also had a weak stomach and “frequent ailments” (1Tim 5:23)! But Timothy also had a heart that loved Jesus. When it came to putting Christ’s interests first, Paul told the Philippians, “I have no one like him, who will be genuinely anxious for your welfare” (Phil 2:20).
Do you have a heart that loves Jesus? If you can answer “yes,” you can bring Christ to others, just as Timothy and Titus did. You do not have to be a great orator to proclaim the good news. You do not need to have every sin or problem in your life perfectly sorted out. You just need a teachable heart – one that loves Jesus and wants to serve Him in those you meet each day.
So many people view themselves in a negative light, focusing on all the things they see as hindrances in their Christian lives. If that’s your tendency, please ask jesus to help you see yourself as He does. You are beloved in His eyes – redeemed, cleansed by His blood, filled with His Spirit, and equipped to be a dynamic agent for His Kingdom. Please give Jesus a chance to work through you today. Take your eyes off your limitations, and think about what He can do through you. Please ask Him to arrange some encounter or circumstance in which you can share His love with someone. Jesus may amaze you!
Short Prayer: Lord Jesus, fill me with the same spirit of power, love, and self-discipline that You gave to Timothy and Titus. Give me courage to overcome any reluctance I have to being Your servant. Amen