Holy Habits
Saints had 'em; We need 'em.
When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (2 Timothy 4:13-18)
The reading at Evening Prayer on July 21 shined a light on several habits that the Apostle Paul lived out and passed on by example to Timothy and other Christians, and in writing to all of us:
Simplicity. Paul traveled light. He had a cloak but left it, and asks that it might be delivered to him before winter arrives. (verse 21). The original Apostles appear to have passed on to Paul what Jesus said to them, He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. (Mark 6:8-9)
Priorities. Even with winter in sight, Paul’s cloak came in second to his God-given work. He tells Timothy to bring the books and above all the parchments, likely Hebrew Scriptures from which he would continue to preach and teach and possibly some drafts of his writings that we now read in the New Testament.
Discernment. Paul is hurt by a number of people. He discerns that some were malicious and opposed to Christ, such as Alexander the coppersmith. Paul warns Timothy about Alexander, and is confident that Christ will inflict justice for the evil done to Paul and the church. But Paul also discerns that a number of companions who deserted him were not moved by evil, but by distress. May it not be charged against them! You can feel Paul pressing the words into the page. We do well to discern between dedicated enemies and disappointing friends.
Trust. Paul writes that in contrast to the harm from enemies and the let down from feeble friends, the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. Paul appears to be trusting in the encouragement delivered by Christ himself, recorded in Acts 23:11, The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” We all have promises from God — in the Scriptures, in the liturgy of our baptism, in the words and songs of worship — on which we can lean with trust.
Worship. Paul orients himself toward God, with gratitude, confidence and praise. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
May the Lord guide us into habits that conform us to his will and complete us in his service. As St. Benedict prayed,
Gracious and holy Father, please give me intellect to understand you, reason to discern you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, a spirit to know you, a heart to meditate upon you, ears to hear you, eyes to see you, a tongue to proclaim you, a way of life pleasing to you, patience to wait for you, and perseverance to look for you. Grant me a perfect end, your holy presence, a blessed resurrection, and life everlasting. Amen.
p.s. I love Anne Spratt's photography!