RBWords

     St. Paul was not an easy guy to work for.  Timothy and Titus were two of his disciples and I think they probably earned the praise they receive from the church in the annual celebration of their feast right after the celebration of Paul's conversion.  We know of other disciples or co-workers such as Barnabas and John Mark and Luke and Apollos and Aquila.  Once Paul arrived in a place and began to attract believers, he would appoint "elders" and leaders.  The reference to the "imposition of my hands" is a liturgical one but shows that Paul was confident that he could invoke the Holy Spirit in much the same way that our own bishops do at confirmations and ordinations.  It is also clear that leadership then and now was not easy and those chosen to lead needed encouragement just like anyone else!

     Whether we be in a role of ministry in the community or simply a "pew-person," we need to encourage one another.  We have all received in our baptism/confirmation the spirit of power and love and self-control!  This is not something magical like Harry Potter and friends, but something that requires steady, long term effort, with occasional stronger efforts to bear witness to that spirit!  That "stir into flame" phrase is as important as the description of the "spirit!"  If we recall that Christian history has been strongly shaped by the ministry of St. Paul, we should also recall that he didn't do it all by himself.  AMEN