A Devoted Dynamic Duo- Timothy and Titus, Converts of St. Paul

Yesterday we celebrated the conversion of St. Paul. Today we honor two of his most famous helpers, Sts. Timothy and Titus.

We know a little about St. Timothy from the scriptures. The Acts of the Apostles (written by St. Luke) tells us that Timothy was born to a Jewish mother and a Greek Father in Lystra. The family was not joined in a common faith. Yet St. Paul wrote to Timothy, “From infancy, you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” Clearly, his mother saw to it that her son received religious training.

Titus was born on the Isle of Crete. He was Greek and studied philosophy and Greek poetry as a student. He was introduced to Christianity during one of Paul’s voyages with Barnabas. Being a gentile convert he did not undergo circumcision.

Both men were strong converts after hearing the preaching of St. Paul. Timothy was even martyred in his old age for protesting a parade in honor of the Goddess Diana.

Lessons for us today

Timothy was encouraged to  “preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching.”

Sometimes today it’s so hard to counter things going on in the culture. When we’re confronted with situations that are against our Catholic faith, it’s difficult to know what to do. I think the main thing I get from St. Paul’s exhortation to St. Timothy is “unfailing in patience.” We speak the truth, plainly and in the spirit of gentle but firm correction with patience.

With St. Titus, I am reminded of the Titus 2 Woman in St. Paul’s Letter.

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. ⁴ Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, ⁵ to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

Titus 2: 3-5

Tying the two thoughts together, I was reminded of something that happened to me years ago when two older women went out of their way to show me kindness and love at church! What an encouragement they were to me in my role as a wife and mother.

Today as we honor these two saints, let’s remember their example and the lessons they were taught and passed on.

“Almighty God,you endowed Saint Timothy and Saint Titus with power to preach your word.Grant that, living a life of integrity and holiness in this world, we may, through their prayers, come to our true home in heaven. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.” – Collect for the feast of SS Timothy & Titus

Collect for today’s feast.