2 Tim 4: 9-22

Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:
For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
And Tychichus have I sent to Ephesus.
The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
Alexander and the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.
Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and the Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.
The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

News

The Christian life is not one of solitary devotion. Our faith, though intensely personal, is nonetheless extraordinarily communal. We are a body, and we depend on one another.

Do not forget the importance of news. Opinion is an individual thing; feelings are exclusive and solitary. News belongs to the body, and if the body is to thrive it needs to know how its members are faring.

Our strained and distant world opposes regular news. Often we live thousands of miles away from our loved ones; even our parishes are filled with solitary commuters. We do not interfere in the lives of others; they do not interfere in our lives, and for reward our relationships are cold and formal. To be cut off and isolated is the norm. To stay in touch requires diligence, humility, and effort.

But we must remember those who love us. We must thank those who serve us. We must not forget even those who do us evil.

Write often. Visit soon. Greet the friends, forget none, and entreat the distant beloved to return.