JUNE32026

Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus are called “pastoral” because they reflect the concerns of a pastor for his community. Some scholars speculate that St. Paul did not write these letters because they seem to reflect a degree of organization that would be later than the ministry of Paul. (In addition, there are many words in these epistles that do not occur in any of the others.) Certainly, the pastoral epistles reflect a second and even third generation of Christians. Stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. All of which serves as a reminder that the Christian faith did not drop down from heaven but developed, grew, out of the seed which Jesus had planted in the hearts of his disciples. From a small group gathered in the living room of a home to a huge crowd at St. Peter’s Basilica might seem like a big leap but both are true expressions of living out the Christian life. The ciricumstances change but the message is the same — love God and love your neighbor.