Happy Sunday, everyone! This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! In today’s second reading, Saint Paul writes to Timothy, saying, “For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.” The message is simple: do not be afraid. In a world that often looks down on and thinks poorly of Christian virtue, it can be challenging to live out our faith. The world is all too quick to point out our flaws as proof of our failures in living the faith that God has called us to. It can be all too easy to fear ridicule for being labeled a hypocrite or fake.
This verse from the second reading should empower us. We know that God gave us the grace to overcome fear, but Paul also says He gave us the grace for power, love, and self-control. What a beautiful truth! There is power in our faith. It’s not just a romantic idea or philosophy; God empowers us. He empowers us to love one another in a way that the world scoffs at, and He gives us the strength to turn away from the sin that the world idolizes. He grants us self-control where none is thought to exist. Today, we are called to live our faith boldly. God is with you! Go forth and proclaim the glory of the Lord.