HOMILY WEEK 03 02 – Year I
Fearless Faith:
Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus
(2 Tim 1:1-8; Ps 96; Lk 10:1-9)
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From seventy disciples to two disciples, the readings today focus on the importance of the gift of faith and the difference it makes in our lives.
Ultimately, we are invited to re-kindle our faith, to live in Christ free from fear, and share that faith with others.
It is hard to imagine that Jesus found seventy poorly educated Galileans, perhaps women as well as men, to set out on a mission he has entrusted to them. They first of all had to believe in him and his message, when the religious establishment in Jerusalem refused to do so.
They were sent to bring the peace only faith in Jesus can give to all they meet, to trust in Divine Providence, to heal the sick, and to proclaim that the reign of God was breaking into human history. Can you imagine their feelings – trusted, honoured, perhaps some fear of their inadequacy, yet buoyed up by the magnitude of their mission?
Saints Timothy and Titus, whose feasts we celebrate today, probably had to face fear as well. They were disciples of St Paul. Timothy was a close friend of Paul, working with Paul in his ministry, including serving time in prison. Eventually, Timothy was consecrated the bishop of Ephesus. Imagine the difficulties he encountered setting up churches in Greece. Timothy was stoned to death in 67 A.D. for denouncing pagan worship. It seems his faith was strong enough, after being kindled by Paul, to accept the suffering for the gospel to which Paul had invited him.
Paul named Titus bishop of Crete. He is said to have delighted in the innate goodness of others, and drew people to him for his kindness. He had to deliver a rebuke to the Corinthians, and address internal divisions in the church at Crete. Titus is said to have died of old age, which without modern medical care would almost certainly include his share of redemptive suffering for the sake of the gospel. Timothy is the patron saint of stomach and intestinal disorders, while Titus is the patron saint of Crete. Both men could have let fear get in their way, but its apparent the Holy Spirit helped them overcome their fear.
We are left with two clear mandates – to pray for vocations, for modern Timothy’s and Titus’ who will spend their lives and be willing to also suffer for the sake of the gospel, and with the challenge to pass on the gift of faith to others, as did both Timothy’s mother and grandmother.
May the Eucharist we celebrate today with faith, strengthen our faith in Jesus and empower us to go out as his disciples, to both offer healing in the many ways it is needed by others, and to proclaim that because of Jesus, the kingdom of heaven has indeed come near.
