Monthly Archives: June 2026

Second Epistle of the Blessed Apostle Paul to Timothy, Chapter 4:

Standard greeting, urges Christ-like behavior.

I adjure thee in the sight of God, and of Jesus Christ, who is to be the judge of living and dead, in the name of his coming, and of his kingdom, preach the word, dwelling upon it continually, welcome or unwelcome; bring home wrong-doing, comfort the waverer, rebuke the sinner, with all the patience of a teacher.

Woe.

The time will surely come, when men will grow tired of sound doctrine, always itching to hear something fresh; and so they will provide themselves with a continuous succession of new teachers, as the whim takes them, turning a deaf ear to the truth, bestowing their attention on fables instead.

Persevere.

5 It is for thee to be on the watch, to accept every hardship, to employ thyself in preaching the gospel, and perform every duty of thy office, keeping a sober mind. 6 As for me, my blood already flows in sacrifice; the time has nearly come when I can go free.

He’s ready, says let it happen.

I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have redeemed my pledge [kept the faith] I look forward to the prize that is waiting for me, the prize I have earned. The Lord, the judge whose award never goes amiss, will grant it to me when that day comes; to me, yes, and all those who have learned to welcome his appearing. Make haste, and come quickly to me.

Others?

Demas has fallen in love with this present world; he has deserted me, and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia, 11 Luke is my only companion.

Instructions.

Join company with Mark, and bring him here with you; he can help me with the exercise of his ministry now that I have sent Tychicus away to Ephesus. When you come, bring with you the cloak which I left in Carpus’ hands at Troas; the books, too, and above all, the rolls of parchment.

More bad news.

I have had much ill usage from Alexander, the coppersmith. As for what he has done, the Lord will judge him for it;15 only do you, too, be on guard against him; he has been a great enemy to our preaching.

Keep in mind . . .

At my first trial, no one stood by me; I was deserted by everybody; may it be forgiven them. But the Lord was at my side; he endowed me with strength, so that through me the preaching of the gospel might attain its full scope, and all the Gentiles might hear it; thus I was brought safely out of the jaws of the lion. Yes, the Lord has preserved me from every assault of evil; he will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom; glory be to him through endless ages, Amen.

Finally . . .

. . . greetings to Prisca and Aquila, and to the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus has stayed on at Corinth; Trophimus fell ill, and I left him behind at Miletus. Make haste, and come to me before winter. Eubulus and Pudens and Linus [who was to succeed Peter as bishop of Rome] and Claudia and all the brethren send their greeting. The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you, Amen.

This Paul is someone to pray to. Let us pray.

Three in one, adore them.

The Roman Catechism teaches that in one divine nature there are three Persons: the Father unbegotten, the Son begotten of the Father before all ages, and the Holy Ghost proceeding from the Father and the Son from eternity.

It warns that curious inquiry into this mystery is dangerous when detached from reverence, and urges the faithful to adore “distinction in the Persons, unity in the essence, and equality in the Trinity.”

Linger on it.

The old Baltimore Catechism says the same thing with the clarity of a school bell: the Blessed Trinity is “one and the same God in three divine Persons,” really distinct from one another, perfectly equal, and one because they possess one and the same divine nature. It also reminds us that this is a supernatural mystery, a truth we cannot fully understand but firmly believe because God has revealed it.

Modern man wants a God small enough to manage. The Catholic wants the living God, even if he must fall silent before Him.

Not to reason why but to do or die.

Hang loose, my good man, my good woman, give yourself to it. Rejoice.

That is why the Introit does not begin with speculation, argument, or apology. It begins with blessing.

“Blessed be the Holy Trinity and undivided Unity: we will give glory to Him, because He has shown His mercy to us.”

Indeed. Blot the rest out. Surrender. Thank God. Can we do that?

The world is too much with us. Takes no master mind to see that. We needn’t buy it, it’s ours, so what to do?

Replace it with the Trinity. Hand it over. Relish what remains, Father, Son, Holy Spirit. The message of the day.