In the spirit of Feria VI infra Hebdomadam II post Epiphaniam
The sacred readings of today invite us to a life of radical commitment and self-abandonment, exhorting us to pursue true holiness by aligning our will entirely with that of God. St. Paul’s words to Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:11-16 resound with urgency, reminding us of the call to “fight the good fight of faith,” while the Gospel of Luke (14:26-33) presents the stark demands of discipleship, where Christ asks us to renounce all for the sake of His Kingdom. Both readings, illuminated by the wisdom of the Church Fathers, lead us deeper into the mystery of Christian life as a total gift of self to God.
“But thou, O man of God…” (1 Tim. 6:11-16)
St. Paul, addressing Timothy as a “man of God,” exhorts him to “flee these things” (i.e., the love of money and earthly distractions mentioned earlier) and instead pursue “justice, godliness, faith, charity, patience, and mildness.” Here, the apostle outlines the virtues of the Christian life as a combat, a “good fight,” that culminates in eternal life.
St. John Chrysostom, commenting on this passage, reminds us that the pursuit of holiness is not passive but requires constant effort and vigilance. He writes:
“Paul does not say merely, ‘flee these things,’ but adds, ‘pursue righteousness,’ for it is not enough to avoid evil; one must also do good. The Christian life is a race where the crown is not given to those who merely abstain from evil but to those who excel in virtue.”
The phrase “fight the good fight of faith” recalls the spiritual warfare that every Christian must endure, a theme central to the writings of the Fathers. St. Augustine teaches that this combat takes place within our own hearts, where we must overcome the passions and vices that hinder our union with God. He says:
“This life is a trial; it is warfare. We are placed here to overcome ourselves, to deny ourselves, and to cling to God. Without this warfare, there can be no crown.”
St. Paul’s exhortation to Timothy to “lay hold on eternal life” is a reminder that heaven is not simply a reward to be passively received but a prize to be ardently sought. The Fathers emphasize that such striving requires humility, for it is only through God’s grace that we are capable of this pursuit.
“If any man come to me, and hate not… his own life also…” (Luke 14:26-33)
The Gospel presents a stark and uncompromising teaching of Our Lord: the call to discipleship demands total detachment. Christ uses strong language, saying that we must “hate” even our closest relationships—and even our very lives—if we are to be His disciples.
St. Gregory the Great explains this difficult passage, noting that Christ does not call us to literally despise our family or our lives but to love them in proper order:
“We are commanded to hate our father and mother in the sense that we must love nothing more than the Creator. He who does not love less what he has received than Him who gave it, has no true love for God.”
This teaching is a profound challenge in every age, but especially in a culture attached to comfort, security, and human approval. The Church Fathers often emphasize that detachment from earthly goods and relationships is necessary because they can become obstacles to our ultimate goal: union with God. St. Cyril of Alexandria reminds us:
“The renunciation of all that we possess is the first step in following Christ. For how can we say that we love Him above all things if we refuse to abandon the things of this world for His sake?”
Our Lord also uses two analogies to illustrate the cost of discipleship: the building of a tower and a king going to war. Both require careful consideration, calculation, and resolve. St. Augustine draws from these images to show that the Christian life demands perseverance:
“To build the tower is to construct a life of holiness; to wage war is to combat the devil and the passions. Both require vigilance, planning, and reliance on God’s strength.”
The Call to Radical Holiness in the Season After Epiphany
During this season of Epiphany, we reflect on the manifestation of Christ’s glory and the light of His truth shining forth into the world. Today’s readings remind us that this light calls us to be radically transformed, not just in outward appearance but in the depths of our souls. The virtues St. Paul exhorts us to pursue—justice, godliness, faith, charity, patience, and mildness—are only possible through a detachment from earthly things and a wholehearted commitment to the life of grace.
The Gospel warns us, however, that this transformation is not easy. Discipleship is costly, requiring the surrender of all that we hold dear. But the reward is eternal life with Christ, who Himself set the example of total self-gift. As St. Thomas Aquinas reminds us:
“Christ does not ask of us anything that He Himself did not first accomplish. He bore the Cross for our sake, and He calls us to bear our crosses in union with Him, so that we may attain the glory of the Resurrection.”
A Practical Resolution
In the spirit of today’s liturgical context, let us resolve to examine our attachments—whether to material goods, relationships, or even our own comforts—and ask ourselves whether they hinder us from following Christ wholeheartedly. Let us pray with St. Ignatius of Loyola:
“Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and possess. You have given all to me; to You, O Lord, I return it. All is Yours; do with it what You will. Give me only Your love and Your grace; that is enough for me.”
In the fight of faith, may we, like Timothy, lay hold on eternal life with courage, perseverance, and trust in God’s unfailing grace. Let us abandon ourselves completely to Christ, confident that He will give us the strength to build the tower and win the battle. For His glory is our ultimate goal, and His love is our greatest reward.
Deo gratias!