IV.
Paul calls on Timothy to remember with him Timothy’s “sincere faith,” his “gift” and the “laying on of my hands.”

As you return to these words, consider if they provoke any memories for you.

V.
2 Timothy 1:3-14 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)

I am grateful to God—whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did—when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands, for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.

Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, in the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace, and this grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher, and for this reason I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard the deposit I have entrusted to him. Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.

VI.
If you were asked to share something of your spiritual autobiography, what comes to mind first? Something about your biological family? Something about your spiritual family?

For that matter, who do you count as spiritual mothers and/or fathers in your spiritual family?

What “good deposit” did they entrust to you?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}