HERE’S TO OUR HEALTH

Research shows that good relationships help people live longer, deal with stress better, have healthier habits, and a stronger resistance to colds. People in healthy long-term relationships are 50% less likely to die prematurely than people without them. In terms of life expectancy, living without these healthy relationships is as unhealthy as smoking! 

We are social beings – and the quality of our relationships affects our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health. Author Brené Brown explains, “A deep sense of love and belonging is an irreducible need of all men, women, and children. We are biologically, cognitively, physically, and spiritually wired to love, to be loved, and to belong.”[1]

St. Paul had a special relationship with Timothy, whom he described as a brother, fellow worker, and “my son.” Paul is clearly his mentor. Paul further hints at the depth of their relationship, in the letters to Timothy. He begins with an expression of his relationship with and gratitude to God, the foundational relationship. Paul is providing advice to his “dearly beloved son” and acknowledges that seeing Timothy would bring him great joy. Paul speaks of Timothy’s “sincere faith” first formed by his Jewish grandmother and his mother, who is described in Acts 16:1 as “a believer” (meaning a Christian). These are all signs of their long-term relationship, their trusting relationship. 

Speaking of important relationships, in the Gospel, we hear, Jesus’ mother and brothers are outside, asking to see him. His response, on first hearing, is surprising if not offensive, “Who are my mother and brothers?” (Mk 3:33) Jesus obviously was not denigrating affection for relatives, but he did use a common expectation to emphasize the even greater relationship, our relationship with God. The criterion for being a member of his family is obedience to the Father of that family. It was not so much Mary’s womb that made her his mother, but her consent to God’s will.[2]

Timothy and Titus are Paul’s trusted companions to lead the believers through the many tensions of the early Church. More importantly, they remind us that following Christ requires carrying the cross of developing and maintaining community relationships that obediently fulfill the Father’s will for us. (Love & Unity) 

In Church relationships today, the tensions and divisions still exist. We can become discouraged by the scandals, the political discord, and the seemingly countless failures of its members and officials—while still asking God, at every Mass, not to forget the Church’s faith. Timothy and Titus, serve as examples of coping with the contentious debates, false teachers, and persistent abuse the Church has known from its infancy. They are models of perseverance, patience, and diplomacy. When we are tempted to give in to disappointment, we need to remind ourselves that we, too, are members of a community often capable but sometimes weak.[3] Yet, are called to be engaged in a long-term relationship with God, and with each other, for our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health.

[1] Psychalive.org, “Healthy Relationships Matter More Than We Think” by Robyn E. Brickel, M.A., LMFT.
[2] Weekday HomilyHelps. Exegesis by Norman Langenbrunner.
[3] Ibid. Homily Suggestion by Norman Langenbrunner.