Pen & Ink Pep Rally

Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus

 

~~~ 2 Timothy 1:1-8 or Titus 1:1-5 ~~~ Psalm 96 ~~~ Mark 3: 20-21 ~~~

 

Timothy was Paul's son in the faith.

Paul was Timothy's mentor and Timothy was Paul's disciple.

Timothy often traveled with Paul in Galatia, Philippi, Corinth, and other areas. 

 

Timothy comes from a family where his mother and grandmother

were known for their piety.

Perhaps they too were Christians.

But Paul saw that Timothy had received great faith through his maternal ancestors.

What he learned from them made a lasting impression.

 

Paul saw even greater potential in Timothy, so he took him under his wing.

Paul taught Timothy all that he could and delighted in him.

 

 

 

 

Today the church gives us this beautiful letter from Paul to Timothy.

 

 

"...I am grateful to God...

...as I remember you constantly in my prayers, night and day.
I yearn to see you again, recalling your tears,
so that I may be filled with joy,
as I recall your sincere faith
that first lived in your grandmother Lois
and in your mother Eunice
and that I am confident lives also in you."

 

If someone wrote a letter to me with that opening paragraph I would be so moved.

Paul writes with such fondness and affection for Timothy.

Praying for someone day and night what more could you ask for?

 

Paul is longing to see his friend once again.

He longs for them to be reunited to the point of tears.

Tears of joy and gratitude for the gift that Timothy has been to him.

 

Timothy has a faith so strong that even Paul is impressed.

The strong faith of Timothy is owed in part to his mother and grandmother.

 

Paul values family and friends, but accepts that he must

travel about the region doing the work of God.

Titus was also a missionary who traveled with Paul preaching the gospel.

 

Paul writes these letters to encourage his dear friends.

He writes to remind them of their faith.

He writes to fan the flames in their hearts assuring them that he cares for them.

Paul writes to let them know that he has not forgotten them.

He writes because they have a mission to carry on even in his absence.

These letters are like vitamins for their faith.

It is a pen and ink pep rally for these men.

Rah, rah you are doing a great job!

Rah, rah, keep up the good work!

 

I  invite you to sit down with one of these letters

 and pretend that it was written to you.

Read it carefully letting each word linger for awhile in your heart.

Allow yourself to feel cherished through Paul's words.

It will bring joy to your soul!