My son, stir into flame the gift of God.

 "I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands."  (2 Timothy 1: 6).

We celebrate today the feast of Saints Timothy and Titus.  Paul describes Timothy as someone who inherited a rich reservoir of faith from his family, notably from his mother and grandmother.  He is a man of "sincere faith." But Timothy is lacking in one necessary thing. He is too timid and too afraid to stand up to the elders.  This is a serious problem for an apostle.  Fortitude or courage is indispensable gift of the Holy Spirit for the Apostle.

Paul set out like a good novice master to correct this serious fault:
"For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control."  (2 Timothy 1: 7).

How much do you know yourself?  If Paul were to write you this letter instead of to Timothy, what would he say to you? For a clue, review the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit:
1. Wisdom
2.Understanding
3. Counsel
4. Fortitude
5. Knowledge
6. Piety
7. Fear of the Lord

Then ask the Father to grant you the missing ingredient.

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