Friday 5 June 2026
St Boniface
2 Timothy 3:10-17. O Lord, great peace have they who love your law – Ps 118(119):157, 160-161, 165-166, 168. Mark 12:35-37.
Signs of deep trust
St Paul clearly had a special relationship with Timothy, to whom he wrote the letter from which today’s reading is taken. The friends you make through faith are unique, especially if you have weathered a few storms together. Paul and Timothy travelled far and wide together; both went to jail. Timothy is even mentioned as the co-author of the letters to the Philippians, the Colossians and the Thessalonians. That is surely a sign of deep trust.
It seems that Timothy was anxious. Writing to the Corinthians, Paul asked the community to ‘put him at ease’. Yet Timothy became the leader of the Christians at Ephesus, proving that even quiet people can lead. All this helps us understand the tone of intimacy in today’s reading. Paul can let his guard down with Timothy: ‘You are well aware that anybody who tries to live in devotion to Christ is certain to be attacked.’ This was certainly true of Paul. It may be true of us. We will value friends if it is.
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