St. Paul was a mentor to Timothy, and the letter we heard
this morning is an example of Paul assisting Timothy’s ministry. As an older and more experienced
preacher and evangelist, Paul had a lot to offer to Timothy in his youthfulness. It would be like Fr. Rich—the old
priest—sending me—the toddler priest—a note of encouragement.
Such
guidance is important in our lives. I need someone like Fr. Rich to help me learn
how to be a priest well and he needed examples in his own life when he was
younger (a long time ago!).
St.
Paul tells Timothy, “Beloved: I
am writing you, although I hope to visit you soon. But if I should be delayed, you
should know how to behave in the household of God…” Behaving in the household of God refers
to two different places.
First,
it refers to how we act in God’s house—in church. Our Kindergarteners and First graders have been learning
about how we behave during Mass.
We remain quiet to listen to God, fold our hands, bless ourselves with
holy water when we come in and genuflect before the tabernacle. Each of these helps us to behave well
in God’s house.
Second,
we are members of God’s household even when we are not in church. Thus, God asks us to behave well at
home, in class, with our friends and to be obedient to our parents, teachers
and coaches.
We
thank God for letting us be members of his household and do our best to behave
well in God’s house and in His household.
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