In praise of... Silvanus

From Paul, Silvanus and Timothy... We always mention you in our prayers and thank God for you all, and constantly remember before God our Father how you have shown your faith in action, worked for love and persevered through hope, in our Lord Jesus Christ... (I Thess, 1-3)

Today is one of the few days of the year when I hear the male version of my name being proclaimed during Mass. The Marys and Peters and Pauls of this world hear their names proclaimed and invoked too often to count, and a great deal is known about their patrons; we know enough about Timothy, too... But Silvanus? Almost all we know is that he was there, simply there; a faithful companion and assistant to those great leaders and missionaries, Peter and Paul. Ever-present, ever-faithful, a brother Peter knew he could trust (I Peter 5: 12)... Someone who must have been set on fire by whatever he had heard and experienced of Jesus; must have responded to a call, however experienced, to dedicate himself to this mission of making this Good News known and loved wherever he was sent... Someone who must have inspired and converted; must have advised, supported, laboured tirelessly, and quietly; always quietly. 

Someone who can be a patron to all those of us whose names will never be written in headlines or on plaques, or instantly recognised for many generations to come; those of us whose modest efforts might go largely unrecognised, except by God.

In today's Second Reading, Paul, Silvanus and Timothy thank God for the Thessalonians' faith in action, labour of love, and persevering hope - qualities Silvanus himself must have embodied and demonstrated throughout his life. Perhaps today is a good day to ask him to pray for us, that we too might grow as people of steadfast hope, whose faith and love are always generous, evident and lived in action.