Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops
Today’s Gospel speaks to me in a fresh new way. Jesus’ metaphor of sowing seed speaks to me of the inherent life, rhythms of life, and fruitfulness that God designed, maintains, and sustains in the creation. All around us are signs of life – the rhythm of the seasons, the reproductive cycles of all living things, the fruitfulness that comes from all plant and animal life. In the Bible we frequently encounter metaphors from the creation because God’s plans and purposes are all about life! We only have to look around us to see evidence of that truth! Just as God commands us in Genesis to be fruitful and multiply, I see that same invitation from Jesus today. Be fruitful and multiply in your spiritual life, in your discipleship! Just as seed sown in fertile soil yields an abundant harvest, so does God’s word sown in us. In John’s Gospel, we hear Jesus’ words, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). Jesus wants every aspect of our lives to be full, to be fruitful, to overflow in abundance. In today’s Gospel, I hear Jesus calling us to embrace and embody our place in God’s plan of life. Let us take our place, along with all of Creation in being full of life and life-giving to others!
In the first reading to Timothy, St Paul reminds his protégé to “stir into flame the gift of God that you have [received].” What is this gift? It’s Timothy’s charisms for ministry. God has given each of us spiritual gifts to be poured out through Christ’s Body. I was reminded of this wondrous phenomenon as I heard the second reading proclaimed on Sunday. 1 Corinthians 12 paints such a beautiful picture of the Body of Christ and how essential each one of us is as a member of Christ. What part of the Body are you? Where is your place within it? To what function is God calling you? Accordingly, what gifts within you would you ask God to “stir into flame?” Perhaps your gifts have become latent. Perhaps you’ve been neglecting them or ignoring them. Even if you’ve not specifically identified your spiritual gifts, what deep desire within you longs to be exercised in charity and good works? Let’s ask the Holy Spirit today to stir up our God-given gifts and holy desires so that we can be more fruitful in response to the Word of God sown within the fertile soil of our hearts.
In the alternate first reading, St Paul reminds Titus that he was left in Crete for a specific, defined purpose. On this Feast Day of these two great Evangelists, we have a wonderful opportunity to consider our own calling and purpose. What gifts within us need to be stirred up, and for what purpose? What is God calling us to, specifically, in this moment in time? What is God’s specific invitation or call for you? How can you more fully fulfill God’s Kingdom purposes in your spheres of influence? How might you “come alive” according to who you are in Christ?
Today, let us pray to become more fully alive in Christ! As we embrace the abundant life that Jesus offers us, let us courageously allow God to ignite the gifts within us and let us become even more fruitful in the areas of our purpose and calling. Amen!
Elizabeth Wells
(formerly Wourms)