Stir into Flame #CatholicTwitter
For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So, do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God. 2 Timothy 1:6-8
Jesus came with his disciples into the house. Again, the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this, they set out to seize him, for they said, "He is out of his mind." Mark 3:20-21
Piety
Titus & Timothy were companions of St Paul. Let us call & accompany our friends to holiness. Help make us a church that fosters a culture that welcomes, protects, promotes and integrates the strangers in our land.
“…from this community of gathered people will rise a new church: a church that protects the abused and the marginalized, ministering to all in search of healing; a church that strives continually to overcome every type of discrimination, whether social or cultural, whether based on gender, race, color, social condition, sexual orientation, language or religion, in order to pave the way for a new future of joy and hope . . . we pray to the Lord.” (5 Theses)
Study
Today’s “Palanca” to Timothy is delivered from Nero’s prison in Rome shortly before the Romans beheaded St. Paul. In the letter, after Paul recalls a previous separation from Timothy, Paul commends him for his faith and expresses the longing to see him again. However, we now know that shall not happen in his mortal lifetime.
Paul encourages his friend to ignite the faith in others because Timothy does not have only the “regular” gifts from God, but rather he is blessed with the special grace that comes from the conferral of an ecclesiastical office. With such grace, comes special responsibilities to the flock.
Jesus also had that fire but it was misinterpreted. The preaching, teaching, and healing in Capernaum set Jesus at odds with the scribes and even with his own relatives in such a way as they thought he was “out of his mind.” Such an assessment also is repeated in John’s Gospel: Many of them said, “He is possessed and out of his mind; why listen to him?” (10:20)
However, Jesus was not being seen as insane. He was trying to stir up the people and ignite their faith. He intentionally incited conflict with the existing powers in the hope of lighting the fire of faith in more people. Many Jews had learned to peacefully co-exist with the belligerent Romans and the demanding Pharisees. Not Christ. He was not going to go along to get along. As we heard in earlier readings this week, those who heard and believed were saved. Those who doubted were not. They thought Jesus was committing blasphemy and opted to pick up stones rather than to listen and obey.
Action
The words of Pope Francis might inflame some Catholics this week. According to an article in the National Catholic Reporter,
Pope Francis lamented the "senseless and irresponsible condemnation" of migrants Jan. 25, telling hundreds of thousands of young people here that the Catholic Church should help create societies that welcome and protect those leaving their homelands due to violence or famine.
In a Via Crucis prayer service during World Youth Day marked by a mixture of poignant and pointed prayers, the pontiff asked that the global institution "learn how to welcome and take in all those abandoned and forced to leave or lose their land, their roots, their families, and their work."[i]
Can you embrace the possibility of change in your viewpoints and in your life if you find yourself in conflict with the teachings of the Church?
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