Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops
(II Timothy 1:1-8; Mark 3:22-30)
Today’s feast of Saints Timothy and Titus remembers two of St.
Paul’s most trusted collaborators.
Timothy accompanied Paul on several missionary journeys and represented
Paul in different situations. Paul probably
ordained him the first bishop of Ephesus in the ceremony recalled in today’s
first reading. Titus accompanied Paul to
the “Council of Jerusalem.” There his
Gentile upbringing probably lent credibility to Paul’s claim that Gentiles too could
serve the Lord. He became bishop of
Crete.
The feast of these two saints provides opportunity to
reflect on the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which ended yesterday. Every year from January 18 through January 25,
the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, members of Christian churches pray together
so that, in Jesus’ words, “… all may be one” (John 17:21).
Progress towards Christian unity has been slow. Certainly, there is less hostility among the
different communities of faith than a century ago. However, some of the churches have introduced
changes that seem to make union with the Catholic Church virtually impossible. Perhaps unity will emerge rapidly after some
unanticipated crisis. However it comes
about, there are glimpses of it in the fellowship and prayer during the week of
unity.
