I Timothy 5:1-6:2
Dear RTB’ers,
I remember growing up in a small Catholic community and attending a Catholic school in a small Southern Illinois town. We had Mass every morning – all schoolchildren attended – and the only others present (as I recall) were older women who were there almost every day. Today’s fifth verse calls them to mind: She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day… (v. 5:5) I didn’t know these women and wondered if they were widows. And whatever their situation, I often wondered where any of the men in the parish were – they were never at our morning Mass. I began to see at an early age a difference in “piety” between older men and older women. Thankfully, I don’t see that at St. Andrew’s. Frankly, I’m thrilled at the number of men in our congregation who are older than I!
I am also pleased that we at St. Andrew’s have taken care of physical and monetary needs for our pastors: Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. (v. 5:17) Carol and I have seen a number of missionary pastors whose congregations offer very little support; they have to depend on their missionary giving or work as “bi-vocational” employees in other jobs.
We’re part of a good church!
Blessings!