In the United States a controversial presidential election just took place. So much attention was given to this that people began to think that what goes on in the political arena is more important than anything else. Some, whose candidate lost, were deeply discouraged and felt their prayers were not answered. Others, whose candidate won, responded with a kind of false optimism that now all our problems will be solved.
Too much focus on what goes on in the political arena can get our eyes off what matters more. There is a battle for souls that continues no matter what is going on in the political world. This was the issue facing two young bishops who were challenged with helping grow the Church amid a pagan-dominated society. Today we celebrate the feast day of these two young men, Timothy and Titus, and read what St. Paul had to say to them.
To Timothy he wrote (2 Timothy 1:1-8):
“…I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and that I am confident lives also in you.”
Paul began by affirming Timothy’s faith and reminding him that he is part of a “chain of faith” that dated back to his grandmother.
“For this reason, I remind you to stir into a flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands…”
Though Timothy still had the fire of faith within him, the flame had been going out. The trials and struggles might have discouraged him, and maybe he lost some of his motivation. Paul reminded Timothy that it was his job to stir up the fire that God had put into him.
“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.”
Knowing that Paul was arrested and watching the opposition to the Church mount up, Timothy began to lose heart. Cowardice began to set in. Maybe he was ashamed that he was associated with the prisoner, Paul, and even ashamed of his own faith. Had he forgotten that the very Holy Spirit of God lived inside him–that he had the very power of love of God living in his heart, and that he had a level of self-control that would enable him to overcome his own cowardice and tendency to discouragement?
“…but bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God.”
Maybe Timothy was thinking that the glory of being a leader would exempt him from the hardship that all the Apostles had to endure. Maybe, like Peter when he started walking on the water, Timothy was looking at himself and his own weakness instead of looking to the strength that God had given him. When he faced expected hardships in his ministry, he was to remind himself that God always gives grace to match the severity of the challenge.
Though we are not bishops as were Timothy and Titus, we share in the burden of the Gospel. Paul speaks to us as well—stir up the fire of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, toss cowardice and discouragement aside, and accept the strength God gives us when we face hardships.
Though the battle in the political arena has subsided for now, the real battle continues in our lives. Let us listen to Paul and not lose heart.
“Sing to the Lord a new song…” (Ps 96:1).
