Word to the Wise
Monday, January 26, 2026 - Monday in the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time
[2 Sam 5:1-7, 10 and Mark 3:22-30]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. [Timothy]
JANUARY 26, STS. TIMOTHY AND TITUS, bishops
[2 Timothy 1:1-8 or Titus 1:1-5 and Mark 3:22-30]
Sts. Timothy and Titus were companions and co-workers with St. Paul. Timothy was bishop in Ephesus and Titus in Crete. The letters that bear their name were written to them to encourage and support them in their ministry. Even back then, disciples needed a "pep talk" to keep up their spirits. The quote from 2 Timothy is an example.
"Keeping faith", when this is difficult because of opposition or suffering or environment, etc. requires encouragement. When I was preparing to enter the Dominican Order, I was asked to attend an intensive Latin-language course conducted by Jesuits at John Carroll University in Cleveland, OH. The director was an elderly but very enthusiastic Jesuit who would conclude the 5 week course with a "pep talk" that no one would miss. He warned us that disappointment would be inevitable in ministry, but discouragement could be fatal to efforts. Time and again in my years of campus ministry I have repeated that advice to students facing various challenges. The encouragement that St. Paul offers to his faithful co-workers, Sts. Timothy and Titus, can serve to encourage all of us in our efforts to be "missionary disciples." AMEN
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