Wednesday of the
Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
(II Timothy 1:1-3.6-12; Mark 12:18-27)
The American people have had a split mind on Lyndon B.
Johnson, their thirty-sixth president.
Some have praised him for his concern for the poor. Others have judged him as an obsessive and
coercive politician. One edifying
assessment came from Joseph Califano, a former Secretary of Heath, Education,
and Welfare. Before holding that
position, Califano had served President
Johnson as a domestic policy aide. He wrote
that Johnson invited him to his Texas ranch to get acquainted. As they were touring the property, they saw a
poor man waking on the side of the road.
Johnson told Califano, “See that man over there. The difference between him and us is only
this much.” Johnson was holding up his hand with the thumb and index finger
only a fraction of an inch apart.
Johnson’s words and gesture echo what Paul writes in today’s first
reading.
Paul is writing his disciple Timothy to give instructions
on pastoral ministry. First, however, he
insists that Timothy realize the source of his call. He says that Timothy was chosen not for any
merit or by any birthright. He might
have never known the salvation of Christ.
But God called him gratuitously “according to his own design.” Timothy needs to thank him for this gift
which ultimately means eternal life.
Furthermore, like Paul he should make every effort to serve the Lord.
We do well also to recognize the wonder of being saved by
Christ. We do not really miss out on much
fun. Rather we know the peace of divine
love. Of course, we want to serve him in
return. We would not possess divine love
if we did not share it with others.
Reading Paul’s advice in this letter we learn some of the basics of
service. Our preparation is filled out
by attentiveness to Church leaders today.
