SAINTS TIMOTHY AND TITUS, BISHOPS (MEMORIAL)

Bear your share of hardship for the Gospel. 

Timothy and Titus, whom we celebrate today, were two of St. Paul’s most loyal and trusted coworkers. Because he saw the depth of their faith and the strength of their relationship with the Lord, Paul had commissioned them to lead churches in two large, influential places. Timothy became the bishop of the church in Ephesus, and Titus led the church on the island of Crete. But reading Paul’s letters to these two men, you get the sense that despite their apostolic zeal and despite the depth of their faith, they still needed guidance.

Timothy and Titus had their work cut out for them. That’s because no local church is immune to the kinds of divisions, scandals, and controversies that we often see in the world. Paul knew how hard it could be for believers to let go of attitudes and ways of relating that they knew before their conversion. Perhaps that’s why he told Timothy, “Bear your share of hardship for the Gospel” and why he told Titus, “Let no one look down on you” (2 Timothy 1:8; Titus 2:15).

If you were to ask any bishop in the Church today, he would probably say he could relate to the challenges that Timothy and Titus faced. In addition to listing some of these challenges, you’d probably also hear him echo, in one way or another, Paul’s words to the believers in Corinth: “Apart from these things, there is the daily pressure upon me of my anxiety for all the churches” (2 Corinthians 11:28).

On this day, when we honor two of the first bishops ever to serve the Church, let’s pray for our own bishop. Let’s ask the Spirit to pour a special blessing of refreshment and peace upon him today. You might also consider writing your bishop a small note of encouragement. Let him know you are grateful for his leadership and his commitment to the Lord. Tell him that you want to work with him in advancing the gospel. And by all means, assure him of your prayers!

“Jesus, let every bishop know your presence and your love in a special way today.”

2 Timothy 1:1-8
Psalm 96:1-3, 7-8, 10
Mark 4:21-25