Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga who with twelve companions suffered martyrdom in Uganda (†1886).

Reading of the Word of God

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

You are a chosen race,
a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
a people acquired by God
to proclaim his marvellous works.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

2 Timothy 1,1-3.6-12

From Paul, apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God in accordance with his promise of life in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, dear son of mine. Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord. Night and day I thank God whom I serve with a pure conscience as my ancestors did. I remember you in my prayers constantly night and day; That is why I am reminding you now to fan into a flame the gift of God that you possess through the laying on of my hands. God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power and love and self-control. So you are never to be ashamed of witnessing to our Lord, or ashamed of me for being his prisoner; but share in my hardships for the sake of the gospel, relying on the power of God who has saved us and called us to be holy -- not because of anything we ourselves had done but for his own purpose and by his own grace. This grace had already been granted to us, in Christ Jesus, before the beginning of time, but it has been revealed only by the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus. He has abolished death, and he has brought to light immortality and life through the gospel, in whose service I have been made herald, apostle and teacher. That is why I am experiencing my present sufferings; but I am not ashamed, because I know in whom I have put my trust, and I have no doubt at all that he is able to safeguard until that Day what I have entrusted to him.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

You will be holy,
because I am holy, thus says the Lord.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Paul begins his second letter to Timothy speaking of the authority of the "apostle" of Jesus Christ which was conferred on him for the "will of God." Paul is aware of the young age of Timothy and at the same time of the gravity of the pastoral ministry he entrusted to him. Paul reminds Timothy not to be afraid because he has received in gift from God himself, through the laying on of hands, a special strength. Such gift must be revived it with prayer, faith and dedication. Paul clarifies to the young disciples that God did not "give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline." Therefore he will need to be a wise and strong shepherd. He must "not shame himself in the witness to the Lord," that is to preach the Gospel of Jesus. And if he is not ashamed of the Lord, neither will the apostle-now "prisoner of the Lord" -who had made preaching the goal of his life. This is the condition of every disciple, as Jesus himself said, "Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven" (Mt 10: 32). Paul is aware to be at the end of his days certain and is firmly convinced that what is entrusted to him (see 1:14; 1 Tim 6:20) is well taken care of in the all-powerful hands of God "until that day" that is, at the end of present time and the return of the Lord (1:18; 2 Thess 1:10). Paul invites Timothy to "take care of the good treasure", that is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, "who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light."