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Thursday, September 17, 2009

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St. Robert Bellarmine


1 Timothy 4:12-16
Psalm 111:7-10
Luke 7:36-50

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"stuck" up?

"Until I arrive, devote yourself to the reading of Scripture, to preaching and teaching." —1 Timothy 4:13

Timothy wanted to quit his job as pastor of the church in Ephesus. Paul told him to hang on, and he promised to come to help Timothy. So Timothy was "stuck" waiting for Paul to come and rescue him.

Are you "stuck"? Are you some place you don't like? Are you in a marriage, job, or situation where you want to leave? Are you "hoping against hope" (see Rm 4:18) for a miracle? Are you desperately waiting for reinforcements? Are you "sticking it out"? Are you "stuck"?

Paul gave Timothy and all "stuck" people the following commands:

  1. "Be a continuing example of love, faith, and purity to believers" (1 Tm 4:12).
  2. "Devote yourself to the reading of Scripture, to preaching and teaching" (1 Tm 4:13).
  3. "Do not neglect the gift you received" (1 Tm 4:14).
  4. "Attend to your duties; let them absorb you, so that everyone may see your progress" (1 Tm 4:15).
  5. "Watch yourself and watch your teaching. Persevere at both tasks" (1 Tm 4:16).

If we obey these commands, we will be anything but "stuck." We will bring to salvation ourselves and those who hear us (1 Tm 4:16). Stick it out.

Prayer:  Father, may I take it one day at a time (see Mt 6:34).

Promise:  "Your faith has been your salvation. Now go in peace." —Lk 7:50

Praise:  St. Robert used well the great gift of intelligence God had given him and treated his opponents with prayer and dignity.

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our leaflet Thankful To Be Catholic or our tape on audio AV 49-3 or video V-49.)

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 11, 2009

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