A Spiritual Genealogy

A Spiritual Genealogy
2 Timothy 1:1-7
The Scripture reading reminds me that none of us comes to faith on our own. There are people who have influenced us and made a difference in our lives. Those people include parents, grandparents, spouses, children, extended family members, friends, teachers, pastors, and the list can go on and on. When we participate in church worship services, or other church activities, it is usually because of the influence of someone else. We may go because we have been invited, and, some people (I have children in mind) go because they are made to go.

It can be a helpful exercise to ask ourselves who our spiritual ancestors are. We can explore our own spiritual heritage, or our own spiritual genealogy. This is one of the themes of Paul’s letter to Timothy. In the letter, Paul mentions several links in his own and in Timothy’s spiritual heritage.

Paul writes of his own spiritual heritage when he writes, “I worship God with a clear conscience as my ancestors did.” He acknowledges his connection with those who have come before him and uses their faith and worship as a guide for his own worship. He also writes of Timothy’s spiritual heritage when he writes, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice.” Paul reminds Timothy that he is not alone in his faith, but the faith was passed on to him through his grandmother and mother. Paul also writes of the spiritual connection between himself and Timothy. He writes, “To Timothy, my beloved, child…” Paul sees himself as Timothy’s spiritual father, even though they are not related by blood.

As we read about the spiritual genealogies of Paul and Timothy, we can take a moment and reflect upon those who are our spiritual forefathers. We may think about those who have influenced us the most in matters of faith and spirituality. If we can name them, then we can also give thanks to God for them. And as we remember and give thanks, we can also remember the example that others have given us when it comes to faith and spirituality. We can also draw strength and inspiration from their lives.

Our faith does not exist in isolation and it is not a do-it-yourself enterprise. Paul recognized this and he mentions several things that the spiritual life involves. Those things include prayer, as he writes to Timothy that Paul remembers Timothy constantly, day and night, in his prayers. It also includes encouragement as Paul encourages Timothy to rekindle the gift of God that he has received. And it also includes personal contact. Paul wrote at least two letters to Timothy, his “beloved child”.

In response to Paul’s second letter to Timothy, there are several things that we can do. We can give thanks to God for those people who have influenced and continue to influence our faith. We can also draw strength from the faithful examples that others give to us. And we can aim to live faithfully ourselves, so that others may be influenced by our faithful living. If we do that, there will be people who will give thanks for our lives and will draw strength and inspiration from the way that we live.

We should remember that none of us comes to faith by ourselves. It takes more than one person to build and maintain a spiritual life.