January 24, 2007 - St. Timothy
“But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith.” (1 Timothy 6:11-12)
To celebrate the Feast of St. Timothy is to celebrate God’s gift of the pastoral office.
Timothy was not an apostle, in the technical sense of that word. He was not sent directly by the Lord Jesus Christ as Peter, John, and Paul were. Timothy was the young colleague of the apostle Paul, a native of Lystra whose father was a pagan Greek and his mother was a Jewish Christian. Timothy learned the Scriptures from his mother and grandmother. Paul calls him “my true son in the faith,” (1 Timothy 1:2). He was a traveling companion of Paul on his missionary journeys, and the apostle’s “go to guy’ when he needed to send someone. Paul participated in Timothy’s ordination.
For us, Timothy is the pattern of “apostolic ministry,” one doing apostolic work, carrying on the preaching and teaching of the apostles and seeing to it that this work was entrusted to others. Timothy is an example of how God continued to provide faithful ministers to preach the Gospel and administer the sacraments in the stead and by the command of Christ. The apostles all died in one way or another, but their work was carried on by others – men like Timothy, who continued in the apostolic teaching.
Paul’s admonition to Timothy is to “fight the good fight of faith.” The life of faith is a constant struggle. Inwardly, it is a struggle between the old Adam, our sinful selves, and our new self in Christ. Outwardly, it is a struggle against the devil, the world, and sometimes even those within the church who oppose the Gospel. Paul himself knew what it meant to contend for the faith, and he suffered much as a result. Timothy likewise would be tested. The wolves in Ephesus were already gathering to attack the sheep and lambs of the church with their false doctrines and practices.
Pastors today must contend with false religions, with a society that is increasingly antagonistic toward Christ and His church, with false teaching within the church, and with their own sinful natures. These men of God are called and ordained to be examples for their people, pursuing the righteousness of Christ through faith, godliness, trust, love, patient endurance, and gentleness.
As you remember Pastor Timothy, remember also your own pastors in Christ. Pray for them and encourage them to fight the good fight of faith. Thank God for faithful pastors who proclaim the good news of Jesus according to the doctrine of the apostles.
Daily Lectionary:
Joel 3:1-21; Romans 12:14-13:14 Today's Readings:
1 Timothy 6:11-16; St. Matthew 24:42-47