During mass this Sunday, we read verses from 2 Timothy. Who is Timothy, you ask? Timothy was a disciple of Paul. Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ who was imprisoned multiple times for affirming and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul’s second letter to Timothy was written during his final imprisonment when he expressed his concerns about the welfare of the Churches during that time of persecution under Nero. He stressed the importance of strengthening the internal character of the Church. Paul urged Timothy to be bold and courageous while spreading the Gospel and encouraging people to live in accordance with it.
The second reading from this Sunday was as follows:
2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14
(6) For this reason, I remind you to stir up the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands. (7) For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but rather a spirit of power and of love and of wisdom. (8) Therefore, you should never be ashamed of bearing witness to our Lord, nor of me because I am imprisoned for his sake.
(13) Follow the pattern of sound teaching that you heard from me, with faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. (14) With the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, guard the treasure that has been entrusted to us.
While reading this Gospel, it becomes evident that Paul encourages Timothy to persevere and not to be ashamed of the Gospel. How many times have you been nervous and/or afraid to speak the name of Jesus Christ? Have you ever been afraid to tell people you’re Christian? At this current moment, Christians are being slaughtered by the thousands in Nigeria. Every day, we hear or read that another Church has been burned to the ground. In parts of Europe, it is now illegal to preach the Gospel on the streets. Several people have been jailed for praying IN SILENCE outside of abortion clinics. Many times, our first response is fear. It has certainly been my first response more times than I’d like to admit. However, with the help of my mentor, my Church, and the Gospel, I realize that fear is exactly what Satan wants to instill in all of us. Fear is the precise emotion and action that Paul fought against.
This brings me to the first reading during Mass yesterday from the Book of Habakkuk. Habakkuk was a prophet who lived around 600 B.C. who was outraged by the near destruction of the Jewish people. He was adamant that the wrath of God would break out and restore a just order. Habakkuk provides Christians with a lesson: It is to God that we must look for life, even if we do not yet know the way to it.
Habakkuk 1:2-3, 2:2-4
(2) How long, O Lord, must I cry for help while you do not listen? I cry out to you, “Violence!” but you refuse to intervene. (3) Why do you make me witness wrongdoing and confront me with wickedness? Destruction and violence confront me; strife is everywhere, and discord abounds.
(2) Then the Lord answered me and said: Write down the vision, inscribe it clearly on tablets so that it can be read easily. (3) For the vision is for the appointed time; it will speak of the end, and it will not lie. If it delays in coming, wait for it, for it will surely come before too long. (4) The proud man’s heart is not upright, but the righteous man will live because of his faith.
During Mass, the priest shared his Homily and he mentioned Charlie Kirk. He stated that although people may not agree with what he said or his delivery, we cannot deny that he was executed in front of the world which has led to the question, “Lord, why did you let this happen?”
From my own experiences, I have found myself questioning why such violent acts take place without intervention from God. As my journey to the Lord has blossomed, I now realize that through our struggles we reach salvation. Additionally, God gives us all free will, even the person or people who murdered Charlie Kirk. Essentially it is up to us to grow closer to Jesus or distance ourselves from him. I always say, “When good things are happening, many forget to thank Jesus. When bad things happen, people are quick to blame him.” Why do we omit the existence of Satan? Or…maybe it isn’t omission. Maybe it is contentment with sin that pushes us in the direction of pride, anger, and resentment towards Jesus Christ.
My hope and prayer is that the genocide of Christians in Nigeria and around the world ceases. My hope is that this article finds its way to someone who needs to read this message. I pray that you are led to Jesus Christ…the way, the truth, the life.