Daily Catholic Lectio. Mon, 26 January ‘26. Not a Spirit of Cowardice

Daily Catholic Lectio

Mon, 26 January ‘26

Third Week in Ordinary Time, Monday

Saints Timothy and Titus, Memorial

2 Tim 1:1–8. Mk 3:22–30

Not a Spirit of Cowardice

Today we remember Saints Timothy and Titus, the young bishops of Ephesus and Crete, trusted collaborators and beloved sons in the faith of Saint Paul. They belonged to the first generation of Church leaders—young, fragile, often fearful, yet deeply anointed. Paul does not command them from a distance; he fathers them in faith. Through his letters, he trains, encourages, and corrects them. Above all, he reminds them to rekindle the gift they received through the laying on of hands. The anointing is real, but it must be kept alive.

In the first reading, Paul speaks words that echo through the centuries: “God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but a spirit of power, love, and self-control.” Cowardice closes the heart. It shrinks before opposition. It prefers silence to truth and safety to mission. But the Spirit given to us in baptism and confirmation is different. It gives power—the inner strength to stand firm; love—the capacity to give oneself without fear; and self-control—the wisdom to act with balance and clarity. Paul is not asking Timothy to become aggressive or loud, but courageous and faithful.

The Gospel shows us what happens when such courage is misunderstood. Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, is accused of being possessed by Beelzebul. Good is called evil; light is named darkness. This is not new. When truth disturbs comfort, it is often demonised. Jesus does not panic, defend himself emotionally, or withdraw. Instead, he speaks with calm authority. He uses simple images: a divided house cannot stand; a strong man’s house cannot be plundered unless he is first bound. Jesus presents himself as that strong house—grounded, secure, unshaken—because he is filled not with an evil spirit, but with the Holy Spirit.

Here the readings meet. Cowardice leads to division and collapse. Spirit-filled strength leads to stability and fruitfulness. Jesus invites us to become strong houses—not fortified by fear, but grounded in the Spirit. A heart shaped by power, love, and self-control cannot be easily destroyed by criticism, misunderstanding, or accusation.

Today, through Saints Timothy and Titus, the Word of God speaks to us personally. We too have been anointed. We too are called to lead—in our families, communities, ministries, and daily choices. The question is simple: what spirit governs our heart?

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy