Reading 1 2 Tm 1:1-3, 6-12
Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God for the promise of life in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my dear child: grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I am grateful to God, whom I worship with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, as I remember you constantly in my prayers, night and day. For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God. He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began, but now made manifest through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel, for which I was appointed preacher and Apostle and teacher. On this account I am suffering these things; but I am not ashamed, for I know him in whom I have believed and am confident that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day.
REFLECTION: .."as I remember you constantly in my prayers, night and day."
We pray for priests and our PAPA members. It is our apostolate and a benefit for our members.
How many times are we asked to pray for someone? And how many times do we forget, just pray once or pray daily? Do we utter the words but make no connection? Do we pray constantly, night and day? Do we pray thinking as if it is in our power to make any change or do we pray knowing that our intimate encounter with God is what is needed.
So how does St Paul pray constantly night and day for Timothy?
The Lord has told us, insistently, to "Pray and to pray always". (Luke 18:1) "Without me, you can do nothing." (John 15:5) And "Come to me....(Matthew 11:28). St John Damascene defines prayer as, "Asking God for what is fitting." We ask God for Himself, to be united with Him, possess Him and be possessed by Him. We ask for His Spirit, His joy and His love. If the Holy Spirit possesses our soul, He prays and adores in it and it is the Spirit, in groanings, unceasingly praying, "Abba, Father". (Romans 8:15) (1)
Only sin can separate us from this Union. If the Holy Spirit possesses our soul, He prays in it, adores in it, pours out love and Himself. Servant of God, Father Dolindo Ruotolo says, "It is the duty of every Catholic to contribute to the Salvation of souls." He advised us to give our worries to God, but more importantly to allow Him to care for those needs in His own wisdom and way.
And how do we know that the Holy Spirt is in us.?
We love God.
We want to always talk with God.
We fall in love with scripture or any thing written about God.
We hate sin.
We want to tell others about Jesus Christ.
Remember "a humble and contrite heart God will not spurn". (Psalm 51:17) We have our Advocate praying for us.
(1) Guillerand, Dom Augustin, A Carthusian Monk. The Prayer of the Presence of God, 2005 edition, Manchester, New Hampshire; Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition.
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