Sunday Scripture Readings

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twenty-seventh sunday

in ordinary time,

october 7

Habakkuk 1:2-3, 2:24; Psalm 95;

2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14; Luke 17:5-10 OUR GOOD NEWS: Paul reminds us of our re-sponsibility regarding younger generations. "I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands" (second reading). Paul challenged a promising member of the younger Christian generation to courageous witness. Timothy had been groomed as Paul's successor in the ministry. Timid by nature and unrealistically idealistic, Timothy had grown disillusioned at the Christian community's lukewarmness and embarrassed by Paul's current status as prisoner. (Can we or someone we know identify with this young man?) "Gift of God" refers to graces conferred at ordination by "the laying on of hands." Like other grace gifts these need constantly to be "stirred into flame." They are quite incompatible with faltering in the face of responsibilities and dangers. "For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control." Graces of ordination include "power" to master every situation, self-sacrificing "love" expressed in affectionate service to the community, and "self-control" (restraint, self-discipline) essential for Christian leadership. "Do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake." The more mature Paul took a positive view of his own disgraceful condition. Roman bureaucrats may think they have him in custody, but Christ had already "captured" him and (as with us) made him "prisoner" for his own purposes. Timothy must "let go and let God," joining Paul in accepting every hardship inherent in faithful service of the Gospel. The final verses assume particular relevance for us who live in the post-Vatican II Church, often polarized into progressives and traditionalists. "Take as your norm the sound words that you heard from me." Paul held up his own teaching as a "norm" or model, a Greek word rich in overtones. Thus, we must "guard (keep safe) the rich trust of faith." "Trust" translates a legal term, something entrusted to another's keeping. Finding the proper mean between rote recitation and distortion is the ongoing work of the "Holy Spirit that dwells within us." In sum, everyone, but especially the ordained, is called and empowered to bold Gospel witness, overcoming diffidence and fear of hardships involved. The deposit of faith entrusted to us must be handed on to the next generation. This divine gift includes a serious responsibility incumbent upon us all.