Timothy, Titus and Silas, Missionaries
Included in the introductory pages of the Lutheran Service Book, is a quote from the Augsburg Confession 21, “Our churches teach that the remembrance of the saints is to be commended in order that we may imitate their faith and good works according to our calling.” As we approach the end of January, the calendar is jam packed with opportunities to remember saints that we might imitate. Having written concerning the conversion of St. Paul yesterday (January 25), I will share material from “Sundays and Seasons” about three of Paul’s coworkers on his missionary journeys.
Timothy accompanied Paul on his second missionary journey and was commissioned by Paul to go to Ephesus, where he served as bishop and overseer of the church. Titus was a traveling companion of Paul, accompanied him on the trip to the council of Jerusalem, and became the first bishop of Crete. Silas traveled with Paul through Asia Minor and Greece and was imprisoned with him at Philippi, where they were delivered by an earthquake.
LSB 517, 4
Apostles, prophets, martyrs,
And all the noble throng
Who wear the spotless raiment
And raise the ceaseless song
For these, passed on before us,
We offer praises due
And, walking in their footsteps,
Would live our lives for You.
Think of some of the people who have influenced you in your life and lived a life of faith worthy of imitation. Who would you nominate to include on your church calendar as saints to be commemorated?
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