Father Mike Schmitz

As I remember your tears, I long night and day to see you, that I may be filled with joy.

I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and now, I am sure, dwells in you.

For this reason, I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands."

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power and love and self-control.

Do not be ashamed then of testifying to our Lord nor of me, his prisoner, but take your share of suffering for the gospel in the power of God who saved us and called us with a holy calling.

not in virtue of our works, but in virtue of his own purpose and the grace which he gave us in Christ Jesus ages ago, and is now manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

For this gospel, I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, and therefore I suffer as I do.

But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.

Follow the pattern of the sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

Guard the truth that has been entrusted to you by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.

You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, and among them Phygelus and Hermogenes.

May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Anesiphorus, for he often refreshed me.

He was not ashamed of my chains, but when he arrived in Rome, he searched for me eagerly and found me.

May the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day, and you will know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.

2.

A Good Soldier of Christ You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

And what you have heard from me before many witnesses, entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him.

An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.