Word to the Wise
Wednesday, June 5, 2024 - Wednesday in the 9th Week in Ordinary Time
[2 Tim 1:1-3, 6-12 and Mark 12:18-27]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]
JUNE 5, ST. BONIFACE, martyr
The two letters to Timothy, probably written by a disciple of St. Paul's, are examples of encouragement in the face of the demands of discipleship. Encouragement is something most of us need. I read, almost daily, a blog entitled Mightyishercall.com which is written by Catholic moms for Catholic moms. It is an example of the kind of encouragement that mothers need in the face of the challenges their children and marriages present. In my years of campus ministry, I discovered that what students often stood in need of is encouragement, offered with love. I found this to be the case on those occasions when I have had to serve my Dominican community in the role of a superior. I certainly needed encouragement myself on those and other occasions!
The Second Letter to Timothy speaks of the writer in some form of imprisonment. St. Paul endured that more than once and from his difficult situation he (or his disciple) sends encouragement! He does this because, as he says later on in today's scripture: [F]or I know him in whom I have believed and am confident that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me...."
Although our own need for encouragement may be great, we can still offer it to others. God will help! AMEN