Usually when reflecting on the readings for a week we start with the Gospel, then see what the first reading from the Hebrew Scripture may add, and finally take a look at the second reading. Very often we end up leaving the second reading to one side because the other two give us more than enough to chew on.
This week however I couldn’t help but be struck by Paul’s letter to Timothy (1 Timothy 2:1-8). The lifestyle and perspective he presents seems so far removed from our present experience. Praying “for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity… in every place the men should pray, without anger or argument.”
So if we yearn for a quiet life without anger and argument, is Paul telling us to keep our heads down and never push back against injustice?
Amos certainly didn’t follow that path (Amos 8:4-7). Nor did any of the prophets. Nor did Jesus.
In the gospel (Luke 16:1-13) he seems to be giving carte blanche to do whatever is necessary to survive. But his point is not to tell us that dishonesty is ok, rather that if we can figure out a way to survive in a dishonest world then we should be able to figure out how to prosper in God’s world. It’s a simple matter of priorities. If our objective is to find a way to survive in this world then we will do that, with whatever stratagems are necessary. If our objective is to follow Jesus into the kingdom then we can do that. But we need to be clear which path we are following. If we are blessed to live in a time and place where the two are not in conflict we are fortunate. Many people are not so blessed.
Paul understood as well as anyone that the world was full of conflict. He had been a prime exponent of that conflict, as illustrated in his supervision of the murder of St Stephen. Just before the passage we read today he tells Timothy: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I am the foremost.“ He also knows conflict remains the reality in our world. He goes on: “Through them [the words of the prophets] may you fight a good fight by having faith and a good conscience. Some, by rejecting conscience, have made a shipwreck of their faith, among them Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.” This isn’t a man ducking conflict.
Paul isn’t providing a handbook on how to behave, he’s trying to help a close friend and colleague in the particular circumstances they are in. If we go on to read the next section of his advice to Timothy we find it contains a striking example of how his mindset was conditioned by his times – women were inferior to men and should be subservient. But just after that he talks about women as ministers in the church. And we know from a number of examples that he quotes in his letters that women certainly had positions of influence and authority in the early church.
So life is complicated. We are all so very far from perfect. But Jesus tells us we will find a way, that’s what people do, even the most dishonest and unworthy ones. Paul tells us “that’s for sure, just look at me!” The key is to put God first. If we do that then we’ll battle through the confusion and challenges. As we’re told in the Sermon on the Mount “seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be given you.” (Mt 6:33)