By Jeffrey A. Beer Jr. –
Although not one of the original twelve, St. Paul is often referred to as “The Apostle” because he did more to spread the message of Christ than anyone else in the early church. Paul is credited with having penned thirteen of the books in the New Testament, and the second reading this Sunday comes from the end of the last letter Paul wrote. But to understand the message of Paul’s second letter to Timothy, it is good to put the story into context.
Originally named Saul, Paul was the son of an infamous Pharisee, and unlike the other apostles, he was a Roman citizen. During the very early days of the church, Saul was one of the greatest persecutors of Christians. He ordered the execution of many Christians including St. Stephen, the Church’s first martyr. But one day while walking on the road to Damascus, Saul was blinded by a bright light and heard the voice of Christ say “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” This event changed Saul forever, causing him to adopt a new name, and to become a great leader of the early church. Over the next twenty years Paul traveled around starting Christian communities and preaching the message of Christ. He was often beaten and spit on, and was arrested several times; the last of which he was held for more than six years. Although he didn’t seem to know the exact date it would happen, Paul realized he was likely to be executed and it is from prison that he wrote the second letter to Timothy, his colleague and companion. Paul urged Timothy to come quickly and explains that the other people who Paul relied on had deserted him.
When we hear the second reading this Sunday we should listen to the words of this man awaiting his own execution. Looking back at the last twenty plus years of journey and strife, Paul celebrates his mission work saying “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith… But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength; so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it…The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom.” Paul did not have an easy life. But even in the face of his own execution he was able to celebrate the work that God had done through him. He was proud that, despite adversity, he was seeing his mission to the end. And even from his jail cell, Paul was confident God would rescue him and bring him to heaven. Paul was later tried and beheaded for bring a Christian. What began as a one hundred and eighty degree conversion ended in martyrdom. Paul finished the race.
What about you? Where does the story of your own conversion truly begin? That is, at what point did you start to feel like God is real, God is really a part of your life and you want to “compete well” for the faith? As he is nearing his own death Paul reminds us that we have to carry our faith to the very end, even when it means pain or persecution. Paul was beheaded for being a Christian; for “keeping the faith.” If you were put on trial for being a Christian, would you be convicted? What evidence would the jury hear about you and the way you live your life? Throughout these past few weeks Paul has reminded us that we are charged with spreading the faith, and we have to finish the race. Take time today to think about how good of an apostle you have been. Maybe you’ve become lazy, lax or complacent. Maybe you’ve neglected to stand up for your faith. Maybe it’s been a while since you continued farther on your faith journey. What is one more step that you can take today?