Reflection From

Fr. John

October 5, 2025

St. Paul in his Second Letter to Timothy mentions, ―Beloved: I remind you, to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.‖ (2 Timothy 1:6-7) The readings this week encourage us to stir into flame the gift of faith we have received.

While St. Paul is speaking directly to the presbyters and those leading the early Church community, he is also speaking to each of us. St. Paul is referencing the ministry of pastors and the spiritual gifts that have been imparted to them. During the ordination of deacons, priests and bishops, the laying on of hands is the essential element. It is through the laying on of hands that the deacon, priest or bishop being ordained receives the apostolic authority passed down from Christ Himself. In the description of Sacred Orders, the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, ―The sacrament of holy orders is conferred by the laying on of hands followed by a solemn prayer of consecration asking God to grant the ordinand the graces of the Holy Spirit required for his ministry. Ordination imprints an indelible sacramental character.‖(CCC 1597) In the ordination of a bishop, the laying on of hands during ordination is the sacramental act by which the apostolic succession—the uninterrupted line of bishops who carry on the authority of Christ's Apostles—is passed down to a new bishop. In the ordination of priests and deacons, the ordaining bishop imparts the authority he has received to newly ordained priests and deacons through the laying on of hands. The Second Reading provides us with one of the Biblical sources of the transmission of the apostolic authority of the Church when St. Paul mentions to stir into flame the gifts received through the imposition of his hands.

While all do not share in the ministerial priesthood of Jesus Christ as ordained ministers, all Christians through their Baptism are Priests, Prophets and Kings. This is a serious responsibility and gift God has entrusted to each of us. The Catechism of the Catholic Church mentions, ―The baptized have become "living stones" to be "built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood." By Baptism they share in the priesthood of Christ, in his prophetic and royal mission. They are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that [they] may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called [them] out of darkness into his marvelous light."‖ (CCC 1268) What a gift! Through Baptism we are incorporated into the Body of Christ and receive the infused virtues of faith, hope and love. We are called, through ardently practicing our faith, to increase the gifts given to us at our Baptism for the building up of the Church and the conversion of souls. When you are given a gift at Christmas or for your birthday, you need to open the gift and make use of it. If not, it will be wasted. The same is true of the graces that God has given to each of us. Whether we realize it or not, through our Baptism, we have been Blessed and given a share in the very Divine Life of God. Let us not take this, the greatest gift we have ever been given, for granted, but through prayer and practicing our faith, work for the building up of the kingdom of God and the Salvation of the world.

Father John

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