Collect taken from the memorial of Sts. Timothy & Titus
Collect: O God, who adorned Saints Timothy and Titus with apostolic virtues, grant through the intercession of them both, that, living justly and devoutly in this present age, we may merit to reach our heavenly homeland. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son
“O God, who adorned Saints Timothy and Titus with apostolic virtues”
– As always, we start our prayer by calling to mind the good that God has done. In this case, it is the virtues found in these two men who served as the first generation of leaders immediately following the original Apostles.
“grant through the intercession of them both, that, living justly and devoutly in this present age, we may merit to reach our heavenly homeland”
– We see four layers at work in this prayer. First there is the grace that enabled these saints to enter heaven and liver forever in service to God. Then there is the grace being given to us through the prayers of these saints. Then there is the grace which enables our faith to bear fruit in good works of justice and devotion. Finally, there is the reward which, by God’s grace, we can merit by cooperating with God’s gifts. Thus, we see grace upon grace upon grace upon grace.
Questions & Advice: Do you actually believe – and act like you believe – that all goodness in our lives depends upon God’s grace? Do you realize and appreciate the fact that God’s grace is so amazing that it doesn’t just say that we are saved, but actually makes us holy all while allowing us to keep our free will?
Read Paul’s letter to Timothy about fanning the gifts of God into flame. Spend some time thanking God for the gift and asking him to stir it up in you. Then see if you can develop a way to put that into practice today (a sacrifice or an extra charitable act to someone you see today).
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| Sts. Timothy and Titus, pray for us! |