For the Feast of St. Timothy, the reading is from St. Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy:
1 From Paul, apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God in accordance with his promise of life in Christ Jesus, 2 to Timothy, dear son of mine. Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 Night and day I thank God whom I serve with a pure conscience as my ancestors did. I remember you in my prayers constantly night and day; 4 I remember your tears and long to see you again to complete my joy. 5 I also remember your sincere faith, a faith which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I am sure dwells also in you. 6 That is why I am reminding you now to fan into a flame the gift of God that you possess through the laying on of my hands. 7 God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power and love and self-control. 8 So you are never to be ashamed of witnessing to our Lord, or ashamed of me for being his prisoner; but share in my hardships for the sake of the gospel, relying on the power of God.
God Bless You All!
Ever since our memorable pilgrimage to Turkey, following the footsteps of St. Paul and the path of the early Christians, I have a growing understanding & appreciation for St. Paul’s letters and the wisdom to be found in his teachings. His letters evoke the heart in a particularly stirring way. His journeys brought the faith to everyday people who needed hope. This letter to Timothy is such a tender message of love—an intimate conversation which I imagine opened and changed Timothy’s heart as it does ours in this present moment. Sharing your poem which honors your mother’s love in the context of this homily and the pilgrimage to Turkey seemed so fitting to me given our time in Ephesus where Mary sought refuge and made home for herself just after the death of Christ–where the air that was charged with the energy of the great love of our Blessed Mother and the sweet love of our earthly mothers were drawn together. May God’s grace, mercy and peace be with you, Fr. Michael.Thank-you!