Last year, I got the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit Rome. What an incredibly beautiful city full of so much rich history. It’s hard not to be overwhelmed by the wonder and holiness of Rome. I was filled with awe to realize I was walking in the same places that so many who came before me had been. Within this city, several apostles followed their call, lived, and were later buried. It’s hard to imagine what those days were like for them in Rome and it is certainly even more difficult to imagine what some of the finals hours were like for men like Paul.
In our reading for today, we are reminded that prison was not a new concept for Paul. He had spent his share of time in prison, but this time carried a different weight as he realized the end of his stay would result in his death.
As we read 2 Timothy, we realize Paul is not only in prison but terribly alone, as most everyone he knows has walked away. During this time of isolation and loneliness, he seems to become contemplative about his life and ministry. It’s in these moments that the important things tend to come to the forefront. For Paul, it was relationships that had been built along the way and the importance of legacy. Both of these play out as Paul considers the life of his friend and mentee Timothy.
2 Timothy is Paul’s last letter and it is written to encourage Timothy. It is important to Paul that Timothy understand his role and what he has been called to. As Paul’s ministry ends, he passes the torch so to speak. He reminds Timothy that following Jesus is not easy, but he is equipped.
Through this, we are also reminded that our call is bigger than ourselves. We can trust in God’s faithfulness and be confident in the promise of eternal life. What Paul clung to, we can cling to also.
Reflection:
- Can you think of a time in your life when the world got quiet and you began to process your life in a deeper way?
- When you think of a legacy, what kind of legacy do you hope to leave?
- Think of a time when someone poured into you, and consider who you are investing in.