June 28, 2015 - Sunday

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. (2 Timothy 1:6-8 NABRE)

It is believed that Paul may have written this second letter to Timothy from a Roman prison not long before his death about thirty years after Jesus' Ascension. In the letter, he expresses heartfelt emotion and encouragement to Timothy, whom Paul had made a pastor some time earlier by the laying on of his hands.

Three decades had passed since Jesus confronted the Jewish leaders and sacrificed himself. Time had also passed since Peter and Paul confronted the early Jewish-Christians who insisted their Gentile-Christian brothers must follow Jewish customs (see Acts 15:1). At the time of this letter, Paul, Timothy and their fellow believers faced opponents who were false teachers stressing knowledge (gnosis is the Greek word). These false teachers attracted some and confused others. It was a time in the early Church when special attention was given to correct doctrine and church organization.*

In that context, Paul urges Timothy to courage by the power of God's grace which he had been given. Paul reminds him that God gives us a spirit of power, love, and self-control. He encourages Timothy to proudly proclaim his testimony to the Lord without concern for consequences.

Lord, trusting in you today is not much different than it was for Timothy. Sure, some time has passed and the attack of the opposition changes over time, but I am called to have courageous faith in your promises and in the truth of your Word despite the opposition of those who, knowingly or unknowingly, work against your divine plan. We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) Lord, protect my heart during the confusion and distraction of our present conflicts so that I might not lose sight of your purpose for my life and so that I might not shy away from pursuing it with all my energy.


Today, I will remember that I, like Timothy, have been given God's Spirit of power, love, and self-control so that I might also proclaim my own testimony to the Lord despite opposition.


Saint Irenaeus, whose second-century scholarship gradually ended the influence of the Gnostics, pray for us.

Saint Irenaeus