Sometimes, when we think of St. Paul, we think of him single-handedly converting Asia Minor and Greece, but not so. Paul had friends, coworkers, companions.
On his second missionary journey, Paul recruited young Timothy from his native town of Lystra in Asia Minor. Timothy received training as an apostle as he accompanied Paul.
The book of Acts, chapter 16, tells us “Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him…As they went from town to town, they delivered the decisions handed down by the apostles and presbyters in Jerusalem for the people to obey. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.” Later, Paul sends Timothy on important apostolic missions to Thessalonica, another to Corinth. And when Paul was imprisoned for his witness to Christ, Timothy stayed at Paul’s side, until he was sent to Ephesus to be Bishop of that place.
Titus was a gentile disciple and close friend of Paul, also accompanying and assisting Paul in his missionary activity. Titus was with Paul at the Council of Jerusalem, and when Paul was having trouble with the community at Corinth because of community division, erroneous faith and rampant immorality, Paul sent Titus bearing his letter to the Corinthians, and Titus embraced them with the love of the true pastor’s heart. This was probably one reason, why Paul felt so assured at naming Titus bishop of Crete, which was also riddled with error. He too would be martyred--beheaded by his adversaries in Crete in AD 97.
As they shared in the missionary activity of the Church, Timothy and Titus now share a feast day, reminding us all that we share our work in the vineyard of the Lord, and we are to draw courage from their examples. As we heard in Paul’s second letter to Timothy: “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.”
What is that holy work that I would do for God if I weren’t afraid—afraid of hardship, afraid of the judgment of the worldly, afraid of suffering? What fears or worldly vices are keeping me from drawing strength from God, from being filled with his holy power and divine love? What do I need to say no to, in order to say yes to God? To draw upon the image from the Gospel, what are the mustard seeds that I am called to plant, so God can bring about flourishing in the Church?
Through the holy example and heavenly intercession of Saints Timothy and Titus and the whole communion of saints, may we know the strength that comes from God in bearing our own share of hardship for the Gospel, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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That our bishops in union with the Pope, may share a profound zeal for faithful preaching and teaching, stirring up the flame of faith in the life of the Church. Let us pray to the Lord.
That our parish may build up missionary disciples equipped for working together for the spread of the Gospel. Let us pray to the Lord.
For the conversion of all hardened sinners and all persecutors of the faith and those in error, that the Lord may touch their hearts and remove the blindness from their eyes. Let us pray to the Lord.
For all who have suffered as a result of violence or abuse, all of the sick and suffering, especially victims of natural disaster, poverty, and addiction, may they be comforted and supported by God’s healing love. Let us pray to the Lord.
For our departed loved ones and all of the souls in purgatory, and for N. for whom this Mass is offered. Let us pray to the Lord.
Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord
