Post-feast of the Entrance of the Mother of God; Our Holy Fathers Amphilochius, Bishop of Iconium (4th c.) and Gregory, Bishop of Agrigentum (7th c.)
1 Timothy 1:1-7; Luke 14:12-15
Nativity Fast.
Read 1 Timothy 1:1-7
Paul had great respect for the young Timothy when he placed the leadership of the Church in Ephesus in Timothy’s hands. We get a glimpse of Paul’s fatherly advice to a young overseer (bishop) in this epistle; it’s a kind of open letter as Paul knows that while addresses to his protégé, it will be read among the assembly. Paul’s advice? Keep to the doctrine and all teaching that I have given to you, pass it to the local Christian community despite all those who teach a false doctrine and try to capture the hearts of these Christians.
Paul understood that doctrine, liturgy, etc. are not ends in and of themselves. Rather, the Apostolic Teaching (doctrine) and the manner in which the assembly gathered and celebrated (liturgy) were a means to something more – the transformation of a person such that love “issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith.” Love and joy radiate outwards to form good works. Good works are the effect of the Apostolic Teaching acting on our hearts! Paul witnessed this in the young Timothy and encouraged him to teach and train others.
Recently, Patriarch Sviatoslav issued a Pastoral Letter on behalf of the entire Synod of Bishops entitled, Only One Thing Will Remain – That Which You Have Given to the Poor (download a PDF here). He refers to Pope Francis asking us all to follow the life of poverty that our Lord embraced and to be true to His teaching. It is the way to have His love be rooted in our hearts and to flow outward like a fountain.