Paul, a slave of God and Apostle of Jesus Christ for the sake of the faith of God’s chosen ones and the recognition of religious truth, in the hope of eternal life that God, who does not lie, promised before time began, who indeed at the proper time revealed his word in the proclamation with which I was entrusted by the command of God our savior, to Titus, my true child in our common faith: grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our savior.
That's quite a self-introduction! There's no substitute for knowing who you are, whom you serve, and why. In the Roman society the vast majority of men and women were slaves. Roman law afforded them more rights and privileges than the American antebellum south but a sophisticated man of erudition and distinction would not boast of being anyone's slave. Paul wanted to be known as the slave of God and an apostle of Christ Jesus.
Timothy and Titus, his proteges, should also claim that prestigious title. Last week, as I reflected on Jesus's naming his twelve apostles, I considered how we feel and reflect the presence of persons who are not in the room with us. A loyal husband feels the presence of his wife wherever he goes. A victim of abuse may feel the terrifying presence of the abuser long after the relationship should have ended. And, as Saint John Henry Newman suggested, we speak differently of people when they're standing there with us than we do when they're elsewhere. Their immediate presence makes a difference.
Saint Paul's disciples, Timothy and Titus, would always feel the immediate presence of God in their ministry. And they certainly enjoyed the benign oversight of Saint Paul, their beloved mentor, long after he had died a martyr's death in Rome.
Often, when someone is recognized for their important achievements, they say, "We are standing on the shoulders of giants!" As Christians and Catholics, we stand on the shoulders of saints and martyrs, and feel their immediate presence. Should we forget they're in our church windows, icons, and statues.
Catholics especially welcome Saint Paul's command to,
Take as your norm the sound words that you heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard this rich trust with the help of the holy Spirit that dwells within us. (2 Timothy 1:13-14)
Often, as I read the second readings of the Office of Readings, I am amazed and inspired by the writings of a fifteenth, or ninth, or second century Christian author. I believe and accept precisely the same doctrine as this ancient writer! Though much has changed, our faith has not. This early morning liturgy sometimes offers a selection from the Documents of the Second Vatican Council and -- there again! -- I see that nothing has changed. God's word remains as strong and reliable today as it was for the martyrs of the first century.
On the feast of Saints Timothy and Titus we celebrate the integrity of our apostolic church. We thank God for the Gospel and the opportunity to study it more intensely. It is an inexhaustible well of courage for us as we speak the Truth to a skeptical world that believes in nothing except its own nihilism.
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.