Sermon - Feast of St. Luke, 2020
Our Epistle today is part of St. Paul’s final letter before his death. Paul wrote this letter to Timothy, a younger pastor in Ephesus, while Paul was imprisoned in Rome. The previous year Paul had been released from prison, but then famously Rome burned while Nero played the lyre, and the Christians were blamed for the flames and thus Paul was rearrested. Paul then writes these words to Timothy while awaiting his execution. “ For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. ” Paul, knowing that he would soon be beheaded, is still filled with great hope. It’s incredible, even though his head is going to be cut off, he talks about God giving him a crown of righteousnes...