The Timothy Conference

T H E T I M O T H Y C O N F E R E N C E

A. Respect, Respect, Respect

I believe in the Aretha Franklin approach to a theology of the poor.

“R-E-S-P-E-C-T find out what it means to me.”

One of the ways that St. Francis described his relationship with the poor (and others) was through the word Cortesia . “We use the word ‘courtesy’ to mean manners. Originally, it meant the behavior and etiquette expected of one who served at a noble court . . . For St. Francis . . . cortesia was a way of seeing and acting towards others.

Lawrence Cunningham, St. Francis of Assisi , (San Francisco:

Harper and Row, 1981).

The example of Paul and Onesimus:

(Philemon 1.10-17) I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. [11] Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me . [12] I am sending him—who is my very heart —back to you. [13] I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the Gospel. [14] But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. [15] Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good— [16] no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord. [17] So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.

Many scholars believe that this same Onesimus became a bishop in the early church!

F. F. Bruce, Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians, The New International Commentary on the New Testament. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1984), p. 202.

We have no idea how old Paul’s Onesimus was when he wrote about him; but a young man in his later teens or early twenties at that time would be about seventy by the time of Ignatius’s martyrdom–not an incredible age for a bishop in those day. . . .The preservation of this private letter [Book of Philemon] must be explained. That Onesimus did become the bishop of Ephesus is not improbable. If so. . .Onesimus could scarcely fail to get to know about [the collecting of the Pauline corpus], and would make sure that his Pauline letter found a place in it.

Every poor person is to be treated based on the potential inherent in their calling.

B. Expectation: the poor as actors rather than acted upon.

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