Homily: Feast of St. Timothy and Titus

Feast of St. Timothy and Titus (2 Timothy 1:1-8) “Flame On or Off?”

When I was a Boy Scout, I was taught how to start a fire. We were told that there were three things necessary to have a fire. First was the spark, then there was fuel and finally there was oxygen.

My fellow scouts and I had no trouble getting a lighter or matches. We could find fuel. But when we stacked it up and struck the match quite often the fire would burn for a few seconds and then fizzle out. We did not stack the wood correctly so air could get in.

Another mistake we might make is that we would let the fire burn down and then stack new wood on top. We might then smother the fire. We found out that rather than stack more wood on a fire, the better alternative was to simply stir the fire with a stick. The wood remnants that were in the fire would catch again and a flame would spring up from the coals. 

The smoldering fire was a symbol that readers of Timothy could easily relate to. The fire represented faith. It could also stand for enthusiasm. Timothy had lost his excitement about preaching the Gospel.

This sort of thing happens to ministers. And it can also happen to any Christian. Especially this can happen in the middle of a pandemic when we are isolating from one another. A feeling of belief comes easier when we are around enthusiastic Christians.

Timothy, who we think was a bishop, was probably struggling with typical church problems. Maybe he had to referee disputes among members. Perhaps a persecution against Christians was underway and members of his flock were leaving. He was as we might say, a little burned out.

Paul reminds Timothy that a good way to rekindle enthusiasm is to remember how we came to believe in the first place. How did Jesus first touch our lives and how did we feel. If we can relive that initial experience of conversion, we might begin to find inspiration that will sustain us in the dark times.

Reflection Questions:

1.  How am I feeling right now about my faith? What is discouraging to me today?
2. When did I first know I believed in Jesus as my savior? Does it help to think of those initial experiences?

 Dear Parishioners,

             Today we finish the Octave of Christian Unity (January 18-25). During these days we pray that all the Christian Churches may come together today. In the latter part of the 20^th century there seemed to be real hope that one day all churches might be united in one body. Unfortunately, ecumenical activity has lost steam. The noble ideal of one Lord, one church, seems to be a memory.

            We Christians seem to like competition rather than cooperation. We seem to trade members rather than recruit from the unchurched. When church’s do work together great things can happen.

            Perhaps it is time to stir into flame the belief that we have that Jesus meant for all Christians to be of one mind and heart. This might be a subject to broach with Christians from other denominations. Sharing our beliefs with another might be a way to begin building bridges between Christian groups and it can also be away to energize us.

            May Our Lady and All the Angels and Saints watch over you today.

            Fr. Mark