Lived 17-80 AD

Feast Day – January 26

St. Timothy was a disciple of St. Paul, the one of whom he spoke as “his beloved son”. He was a convert to Christianity born of a Jewish mother and pagan father. He was from Lystra, a city in Asia Minor where St. Paul preached the Gospel. After hearing St. Paul, Timothy was converted to Christianity along with his mother and grandmother. He was  strong in his faith and even from his early childhood he spent much time in reading the Scriptures. He was very devout and fervent in his Christian faith and was eager to follow St. Paul. He devoted a great deal of his time in reading and studying Scriptures. When he grew to be a man he was recognized for his kind heart and for his knowledge and zeal for preaching the Gospel. St. Paul loved Timothy and had him accompany him on his journeys throughout Asia Minor and Greece. St. Timothy was ordained the first Bishop of Ephesus by St. Paul in the year 65 AD. He was bishop for 15 years. It was in Ephesus that Timothy received the two Epistles written by St. Paul, one which St. Paul wrote while he was in Macedonia, and the second while he was in prison in Rome. One of the most memorable legacies of the teachings of St. Timothy was in the importance of spending time reading and studying the Scriptures. He warned against gossip and profanity and exhorted Christians to be good examples in speech and action in proclaiming the Word of The Lord. St. Timothy was martyred in Ephesus for attempting to stop a pagan procession.  He was stoned to death.

For Reflection:  St. Timothy grew in holiness as he spent much of his time reading and studying the Gospel. And, as a result of him knowing God through His Word, he developed a great zeal to share his love of God and evangelize. We are all called to be saints. And, as St. Timothy admonishes us, we should concentrate our time on being good Christian examples of Christi in speech and action. What a wonderful way to express our Christian devotion and love for this great disciple of Christ as we wear a St. Timothy medal.

Bio: Marianne Buzzelli is a Catholic writer and owner of Holy Cross Necklaces which sells fine cross necklaces, saint medals, beautiful rosaries, and Christian rings and bracelets

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