Faith of our Mothers- by Lijo Johnson, Gurukul

Text: 2 Tim 1:3-7

Paul had written his second letter to timothy while he was in Rome. The apostle’s main aim was to instruct timothy with regard to the heresies that were multiplying around and within the church, and to encourage him in the midst of all the trials which would come up on him as a Christian and as an official of the church. Our text (2 Tim 1:3-7) is the opening statement of what is entitled Paul's second letter to Timothy. These verses begin with an expression of gratitude for Timothy's faith. This is the kind of greeting with which most Pauline letters open. 

The theme of remembering is strong in these verses, as Paul remembers Timothy's faith and urges him to both remember it and teach it. This is not a casual recall of past information, but the recollection of meaningful stories that have shaped personal and communal identity. The past is made alive and powerful for the present so that it can shape the future. There is intense emotion connected to this act of remembering. Paul prays for Timothy constantly, remembering his tears and longing to see him. Memory and prayer are connected. As Paul remembers Timothy's tears, praying for him constantly, he stands with him, sharing in his suffering before God. He is also described as having a stable faith that goes back to his ancestors. Elsewhere in the Pauline letters, the disconnect between Paul's Jewish past and his Christian faith is emphasized (Gal 2:15-21; Phil 3:4-9). Here the author stresses the stability and the antiquity of Paul's faith and the importance of the Christian household in assuring the transmission of the truth faith.

Paul in vs. 3 reminds timothy about the sincere and unqualified faith of his mother, Eunice and grandmother, Lois that laid the base for Timothy’s faith. In fact Paul reminds timothy that he recognizes the gift of God that timothy had was not just because of the laying of hands during his ordination but also due to the faith that laid the foundation by his mother and grand mother. 

The life of a mother is considered as a high level of spirituality. It is entirely different from the spirituality that men experience. Her body itself is a source for experiencing her spirituality. Dr. Rosy Thampy, a writer and a college professor in kerala , explains the experience of a women in training a child as the most creative effort of a women. Her task is similar to an artist that shapes a sculpture. She has to do the task of transforming a child into a person by giving constant care and love.

Every person has a similar memory to recall about the faith of one’s mother in their life. The transformation of the church father Augustine was influenced by the faith and prayer of his mother Monica. Geevarghese Mar Osthatios, a profound orthodox theologian gratefully remembers poor women with simple faith, who gave money to do his theological studies. In my own personal experience the life of my mother influenced and challenged me. 

But as part of the patriarchal society, we too are reluctant to recognize the role, encouragement of women. Influenced by the dualistic pattern, our theology too is intoxicated with patriarchal nuances. We often remember the church fathers who participated in formulating the theological doctrines in the church councils but we forget or hesitant to remember the contribution of many women in our lives. 

The pidiyari is a practice of voluntary giving in Kerala, where one handful of rice is set apart everyday by the women in a Christian family before the rice is being cooked. These women who consistently reserved one handful of the rice served as the practical theologians who tried to reduce the poverty in Kerala through their simple means. 

From the biblical passage we saw the great transformation caused by women in the life of a God’s minister. Though women are traditionally branded as weak and vulnerable, here their faith, as Paul mentioned, is sincere and strong. It had resulted in the formation of a great leader and a bishop. Does our faith make any change in others? Does our faith cause any transformation in our society? The faith and vision of a simple woman named Agnes who was later fondly called by others as Mother had resulted in the formation of Nirmal Hriday and later the whole order of Missionaries of Charity. 

For many of us Faith has become mere museum pieces impotent to make any fruitful result in our society. Let the signs of our times enable us to transform our faith so that it may became relevant and effective. Amen

[Lijo Johnson, the leader of this meditation is a final year BD student in Gurukul Lutheran Theological College and Research Institute, Chennai, India.]