The Mission is inspired

The memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, disciples of Paul, follow yesterday's celebration of the conversion of Paul. The Roman Catholic Lectionary offers a selection of readings which differ in Canada and the US. The letter to Timothy, according to Friar Jude Winkler, was written by a disciple of Paul and it encourages Timothy, who is of Jewish heritage through his mother and grandmother to be aware of the power of the Holy Spirit in his ministry as a source of love and self discipline for his daily work. Titus is a young man, a Gentile, who has authority to appoint elders for the communities in Crete. The guidance of the Spirit is the support he will need to address the needs and concerns of believers and followers of the Way who are older and more experience than he. The mission to proclaim the Presence of the kingdom of God is described in the Gospel from Luke with instructions on how the peace of intimate relationship with the Divine is to be witnessed in actions of the missionaries. Peace is to be communicated as fruit of the Kingdom. Attention to differences in culture, experience and age is required and is guided by the prompting of the indwelling Spirit in communion with the Spirit of God. Go out and be love and peace.