As we meditate on today’s readings in the spirit of Feria IV infra Hebdomadam III post Epiphaniam, the sacred words of St. Paul and Our Lord call us to fidelity, perseverance, and the unshakable commitment to the truth of the Gospel.
“Preach the Word… in season and out of season” (2 Tim 4:2)
In his solemn exhortation to St. Timothy, the Apostle Paul—knowing his own martyrdom is near—charges his disciple with an unwavering duty:
“I charge thee, before God and Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead, by His coming and His kingdom: Preach the word, be instant in season, out of season: reprove, entreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine.” (2 Tim 4:1-2)
St. John Chrysostom, commenting on this passage, reminds us that this command is not given to Timothy alone, but to all who labor for Christ:
“He says this not for Timothy only, but for all who are entrusted with the care of souls. A physician does not wait for the sick man to come to him, but goes to him himself. So must the teacher act. The soul is a more precious thing than the body, and he must apply the remedy, whether the sick man asks for it or not.” (Homilies on 2 Timothy)
This is the mission of the Church—to teach, correct, and proclaim the unchanging truths of Christ, whether the world welcomes them or not. In an age where men “turn away their hearing from the truth” (2 Tim 4:4), preferring novelties and errors, we are reminded of our duty to uphold doctrine without fear.
“You are the salt of the earth” (Matt 5:13)
In today’s Gospel, Our Lord calls His disciples the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” (Matt 5:13-14). The meaning is profound. Salt preserves and flavors; without it, food is bland and corruptible. Likewise, Christians are called to preserve the truth and bring the richness of divine wisdom to the world.
St. Augustine teaches that salt signifies wisdom and evangelical preaching:
“The Apostles are the salt of the earth because by their heavenly doctrine they season the hearts of men. But if the salt lose its savor—that is, if the preacher, through fear of suffering or for the sake of human favor, suppresses the truth—it is good for nothing but to be cast out.” (Sermon on the Mount, Bk. I, ch. 16)
How relevant this warning is today! Many are tempted to dilute the Gospel, to make it palatable to the world. But Our Lord Himself warns against such compromise: “If the salt lose its savor, wherewith shall it be salted?” (Matt 5:13). We cannot afford to let cowardice or human respect diminish the purity of our witness.
Faithful Unto the End
As we continue in this liturgical season of Epiphany, the light of Christ’s revelation shines before us. The Gospel and Epistle today are a call to steadfastness:
- We must, like St. Paul, “fight the good fight” and “keep the faith” (2 Tim 4:7), without bending to the pressures of the world.
- We must, like the Apostles, be “salt and light,” preserving the faith and illuminating the path for others.
- We must, like the saints before us, stand firm against error and preach the word “in season and out of season.”
May the wisdom of the Church Fathers, the courage of St. Paul, and the words of Our Lord inspire us to be faithful witnesses in our time. Let us not lose our savor, nor hide our light, but rather shine forth the fullness of truth with holy boldness.
Domine, da nobis fortitudinem, ut lumen Tuum feramus mundo! (Lord, grant us the strength to bear Thy light to the world!)