Today the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Timothy and St. Titus. Both of these great men were bishops of the early Church. There are letters from St. Paul to each of these (two to St. Timothy) in the New Testament. For the first reading at today’s Mass, there will be a reading either from 2 Timothy or Titus. I’d like to reflect on St. Paul’s words to Timothy today.
“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.”
Though you and I may not be bishops, we, too, have received a great gift from God. He has enkindled in us the gift of faith. For some, that gift is a roaring flame. For others, it may be the smallest of embers. Chances are that for you (and me) it stays somewhere in the middle of those two. But perhaps that is not enough. As we said, Timothy was a bishop of the Church. Yet St. Paul felt it necessary to remind him to “stir into flame” the gift that he had been given. Maybe today would be a good day for us to take a little temperature check on our spiritual life. If it ain’t white hot, then start stirring!
Father, we’re so sorry for those times when our faith becomes mundane. Help us today to stir into flame the gift that you have given us. Amen.
Today’s Readings
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