Today, as we celebrate the memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, close collaborators with Saint Paul, we recall two faithful students of the Apostle to the nations. Saint Timothy is the younger one of the two, while Titus died peacefully in old age. Timothy, however, died a martyr at a young age for opposing pagan worship in 97 A.D.
Just a little bit of background on these two awesome disciples of Paul, and two of the greatest early Christians that the Church produced in its beginnings. Saint Timothy was born in Lystra. He was the son of a Greek father and a Jewish Christian mother, and therefore the son of converts. He was converted through Paul during the second missionary journey in the years 49–50. He became Paul’s closest collaborator, as Paul himself describes in his Letter to the Philippians (Phil 2:19–22). Saint Timothy was then sent to Corinth, Thessalonica, and Philippi, and was finally appointed Bishop of Ephesus. Tradition holds that he was martyred for opposing pagan worship. He embodies the pastor who is under pressure: young, timid, yet faithful.
Saint Titus, on the other hand, was a Gentile convert, likely led to Christ by Paul. He was present at the Council of Jerusalem as proof that Gentiles need not be circumcised (Acts 15). He was trusted by Paul to handle difficult missions, especially in Corinth. He was later appointed Bishop of Crete and tasked with organizing the priests and correcting disorder. Tradition tells us that he died peacefully in old age, and he represents the organizer, the stabilizer, the Church builder.
Saints Timothy and Titus are living extensions of Paul’s apostolic ministry. In today’s readings, we see some key points that emerge: spiritual fatherhood and apostolic continuity. In both letters, Saint Paul addresses Timothy and Titus as “my dear child,” “my true child in our common faith” (1 Tim 1:2; Titus 1:4). This shows us that Christianity is received, entrusted, and handed on, but never self-generated.
We see this clearly when we consider the beginnings of Protestant denominations and cults that claim to be Christian but are not, particularly because of their lack of belief in the Trinity. There is always one man who becomes the generator of a new faith, a new gospel. And so, we are to reject any faith that is self-generated. Saint Timothy’s faith is traced through Lois and Eunice (2 Tim 1:5), which shows that faith is both ecclesial and familial. Our families have a great role in shaping our faith.
The readings also speak to us about ordained ministry as both a gift and a responsibility. Saint Paul says to Timothy in his second letter, “Stir into flame the gift of God you have through the imposition of my hands” (2 Tim 1:6). Of course, this is a clear reference to ordination and apostolic succession. Saint Paul also reminds Timothy that ministry requires courage: “not a spirit of cowardice, but rather of power and love and self-control” (2 Tim 1:7).
Something else that emerges from the readings is our call to mission. Titus is left in Crete “to set right what remains to be done” (Titus 1:5). We also recall how the seventy-two disciples are sent out unarmed, vulnerable, and dependent (Lk 10:1–9). We see that authentic ministry is mission-oriented, not comfort-oriented. We do not seek our own gain, but are sent even when the task is uncomfortable.
My brothers and sisters, let us be like those seventy-two disciples who were sent out to preach the Gospel unarmed, because we do not live by violence, but by the rule and law of love. Vulnerable, because it is indeed a risk to trust and depend on God. Yet He will always pull through for us. Dependent, because without Him nothing is possible.
My brothers and sisters, through the intercession of Saints Timothy and Titus and their mentor, the great Apostle Saint Paul, may Almighty God give you the spirit of zeal, fortitude, courage, and love.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord, while thanking God for His gifts and His graces.
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