Friday Reflection on the Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus

To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God,
or what parable can we use for it?
It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground,
is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.
But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants
and puts forth large branches,
so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” Mk. 4:30-32

Faith is a marvelous thing--marvelous in the sense that when we see it in its true and genuine light, it captivates us,  and simultaneously it liberates us--it takes only a little bit of it to do great things and to overcome the greatest obstacles and challenges.  Certainly, the saints whom we remember today faced great obstacles, as we glimpse in Paul's admonition to Timothy that he bear his share of hardship. 

The small amount of faith needed to accomplish a tremendous task prevailed and wrought a great miracle: the Word of Life has spread throughout the world.  While it is the faith of these early missionaries that we celebrate specifically, we also celebrate faith as we live it today.  Timothy and Titus stand for us as icons of faith--of a way of life--and so we incorporate the same drive and force, which has the power to lead us to the victorious overcoming of those things that hinder and stand in the way.

Faith doesn't fail, but sometimes we fail faith.  Notwithstanding, times may come when situations seem overbearing--life can have its "just too much" moments.  Yet faith is able to deal a death blow to the enemies of God.  The true hope is in God's promises to us, and they are the source of our ability to overcome evils that which in retrospect will appear as far lesser compared to the reward that awaits.

I stongly advocate turning toward God in such a way that those things that threaten our ability to be fruitful disappear.  We are to be courageous in such a way that we need not look behind us at whatever hindered or burdened us.  God has won a great victory over the injustices of the enemy, and our part now is to carry on with forward-looking eyes and bear fruit for the kingdom of God.

Comments

[Gabrielle]

Thanks, dd. Especially the last paragraph (for me). Inspiring.