Saints Timothy & Titus, Bishops
2 Timothy 1:1-8  +  Mark 3:22:30
January 26, 2016 

“…I remember you constantly in my prayers, night and day.”

On the memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, the First Reading must be taken from their feast day, instead of from the corresponding day of Ordinary Time.  In fact, there are two options for the feast’s First Reading:  one is from St. Paul’s second epistle to Timothy; the other, Paul’s epistle to Titus.

Each of these two passages consists of the first verses of its respective epistle.  It’s notable that in each, St. Paul refers to the Church’s ordained ministry, which is given through the Sacrament of Holy Orders.  In his words to Timothy, Paul refers to one of the elements required for a valid ordination:  the imposition (or “laying on”) of hands.

Another point common to both passages is St. Paul’s self-description.  To Timothy, Paul describes himself as “a prisoner for [the Lord’s] sake”; to Titus, as “a slave of God”.  These self-descriptions are not unrelated to his references to ordination.  To be ordained is to have your life ordered towards Christ, and to lead others into the order that only comes through God’s “grace, mercy, and peace”.  Say a prayer today for those who serve your parish family as ordained priests or deacons, and your diocese as a bishop.  Ask Saints Timothy and Titus to inspire them with a love for self-sacrifice.