23 September 2023
In the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep the commandment without spot or blame until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will bring about at the right time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
From 1 Timothy 6:13-16, NRSV
By this stage in his mission, Paul knew only too well the hardships and struggle that came with commitment to the Gospel. Paul’s awareness of the suffering accepted by Christ in his testimony before Pontius Pilate enabled him to endure the suffering that came his way. As he ends his letter to Timothy, Paul wants him also to remain faithful even in the face of hardship. He gives Timothy the assurance that his struggle will ultimately bring him to share in the victory of the great day when Christ will come again in glory.
- Was it reasonable to expect Timothy to carry out his duty without any fault or failure?
- What has helped you to persevere in faith?
Reflect on those times when life has seemed a “struggle” and pray for those for whom this is a present reality.
Image – Christ in Glory with the Apostles – Constantinople 14th Century
