COLLABORATORS

Memorial of Sts. Timothy and Titus, Bishops
Lk 10:1-9

We remember today Sts. Timothy and Titus, companions of St. Paul, whose conversion we celebrated in the liturgy yesterday. Timothy and Titus were more than companions of Paul in his missionary journey. They were his co-ministers in the work of evangelization. Paul believed in team ministry; thus, having preached the Gospel in a particular place, he moved on to other places and normally entrusted the newly founded Christian community to the care of good Christian men (and women?). To Timothy, Paul gave the care of the Church in Ephesus while the Church in Crete he entrusted to Titus. Paul referred to both Timothy and Titus as “sons in the faith” because these two men were, in the first place, also fruits of his missionary toil.

As we remember Sts. Timothy and Titus, sons in the faith, companions, co-ministers and co-workers of St. Paul, let us be keenly aware of the importance of remembering our own collaborators in our different apostolates and ministries in the Church. They are important to us, not only because of the assistance they give us, but because they are primarily important to Jesus Himself. Like us, who have been called to a particular ministry or are involved in a specific apostolate in and of the Church, they too have been called and given a significant share in the work of the Kingdom.

It is always best to remember our collaborators in the ministry and apostolate during three moments.

The first moment is the moment of prayer. Prayer brings us all together in love. Prayer melts differences that often wound an otherwise healthy working relationship. Prayer always affirms, nourishes, and deepens the bonds that exist among servants of the Lord.

The second moment is the moment of joy. It is rather easy for us to remember our co-workers when we are in need of consolation or affirmation, when we are sad, confused, or burdened, when we are lacking in something to achieve our goals, and when we are standing alone in making a point. It is always a hypocritical for any ministry or apostolate to claim that it endeavors to bring joy to others when its ministers remember one another only when sadness befalls them. Our co-ministers should be the first one we minister to.

The third moment is the moment of need. Our collaborators are given to us by the Lord so that we do not have to carry the burden of the work of the Kingdom alone. We do not have to be ashamed to turn to them and be helped. The Lord Himself, who already is the Messiah, invited others to share in His work for the Kingdom. The work of the Kingdom is never meant to be a load on the shoulders of the few. That is precisely the reason why the Lord gave us collaborators. We ourselves are His collaborators in the first place.

In prayer, in joy, and in need – these are the best moments to remember our co-workers in the Kingdom. Our collaborators in the work of the Kingdom make every moment worth remembering in prayer, in joy, and in need.