Before the reform of the lectionary after the Second Vatican Council, the first reading for today's liturgy was used very frequently whenever we observed a feast in honor of a confessor of the faith or a great preacher. Though the current translation speaks of people with insatiable curiosity, the older translation spoke of them as having "itching ears." Back when I was a boy using a daily missal to follow along during Mass, I remember this expression very clearly. It is an interesting way to describe people who always want to hear something new.
The other remarkable thing about this reading is that it shows us just how much St. Paul has changed since he started to compose letters to the various Gentile communities. In his First Letter to the Thessalonians, he was quite certain that he would still be living and preaching at the second coming of Christ. Now we hear him tell us in very poetic language that he is coming to the end of his days. Perhaps I find this statement so compelling because he is writing to Timothy specifically because Timothy is distressed because of the opposition he is facing from various people. So while he continues to bolster Timothy’s spirits, he also announces that his life is coming to an end. One would not think that this is the kind of news that will encourage Timothy. However, in announcing his coming death, he also proclaims with certainty that he will receive a crown for his efforts, reminding Timothy that this crown is available for all you persevere as Paul has done.
Paul’s certainty in the face of his demise is the basis for our faith. We shall not die. We are destined for glory and life everlasting.
Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator