Jan. 26, 2012 Thursday: St. Timothy and St. Titus
St. Timothy and St. Titus
Besides having been bishops in the early Church, Timothy and Titus have something else in common. Both men received the gift of faith through the preaching of St. Paul.
Timothy was born at Lystra, in Asia Minor. His father was Greek and his mother was Jewish. When Paul came to preach in Lystra, Timothy, his mother and his grandmother all became Christians. Several years later, Paul went back to Lystra. Timothy was grown up now, and Paul felt that God was calling him to be a missionary. Paul invited Timothy to join him in preaching the Gospel. And so Timothy left his home and parents to follow Paul. Paul and Timothy shared both the joys and sufferings of bringing the Word of God to many, many people. Timothy was like a son to Paul. He went everywhere with him until he became bishop of Ephesus. Then Timothy stayed at Ephesus to shepherd his people. St. Timothy died a martyr, just as St. Paul had.
Titus was a Gentile (a non-Jewish person) converted by St. Paul. He became Paul’s secretary and was with him at the Council of Jerusalem. Titus was generous and hardworking. He joyfully preached the Good News with Paul on their missionary travels. Because Titus was so trustworthy, Paul freely sent him on many “missions” to the Christian communities. Titus helped people strengthen their faith in Jesus. He had a special gift for being a peacemaker and was able to bring Christians together again after there had been arguments among them. Paul appreciated this gift in Titus and recognized it as the Holy Spirit’s work.
While preaching in Crete, Paul was called away to other churches that needed him. Not wanting to leave the Christians at Crete without a shepherd, he ordained Titus bishop and left him there to continue his work. Titus remained at Crete for the rest of his life. Paul wrote a letter to him from Macedonia in the year 65.
-Daughters of St Paul
Besides having been bishops in the early Church, Timothy and Titus have something else in common. Both men received the gift of faith through the preaching of St. Paul.
Timothy was born at Lystra, in Asia Minor. His father was Greek and his mother was Jewish. When Paul came to preach in Lystra, Timothy, his mother and his grandmother all became Christians. Several years later, Paul went back to Lystra. Timothy was grown up now, and Paul felt that God was calling him to be a missionary. Paul invited Timothy to join him in preaching the Gospel. And so Timothy left his home and parents to follow Paul. Paul and Timothy shared both the joys and sufferings of bringing the Word of God to many, many people. Timothy was like a son to Paul. He went everywhere with him until he became bishop of Ephesus. Then Timothy stayed at Ephesus to shepherd his people. St. Timothy died a martyr, just as St. Paul had.
Titus was a Gentile (a non-Jewish person) converted by St. Paul. He became Paul’s secretary and was with him at the Council of Jerusalem. Titus was generous and hardworking. He joyfully preached the Good News with Paul on their missionary travels. Because Titus was so trustworthy, Paul freely sent him on many “missions” to the Christian communities. Titus helped people strengthen their faith in Jesus. He had a special gift for being a peacemaker and was able to bring Christians together again after there had been arguments among them. Paul appreciated this gift in Titus and recognized it as the Holy Spirit’s work.
While preaching in Crete, Paul was called away to other churches that needed him. Not wanting to leave the Christians at Crete without a shepherd, he ordained Titus bishop and left him there to continue his work. Titus remained at Crete for the rest of his life. Paul wrote a letter to him from Macedonia in the year 65.
-Daughters of St Paul
