Tuesday of 32nd Week, Year II: reflection

Theme: What we should do to ensure that God’s Word is not discredited.

Reading: Titus 2:1–8,11–14

The mission to spread the Good News of Christ to the ends of the earth cannot be accomplished by words alone; worthy actions are required as well. These actions would include how we live our lives in private and in the public sphere, as well as how we organize our activities. If we do not live our lives and organize our activities in accordance with the Good News we proclaim, we have discredited it.

In today’s first reading, St. Paul sent clear instructions to Christians through Titus on how they should conduct themselves so “that the word of God may not be discredited.” (vs 5). Let us pay closer attention to what he instructed Titus to tell the various groups in the Church.

“Instruct the men to be temperate, serious, sensible, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and endurance” (vs 2).

“Instruct the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands.” (vs 4–5).

“Encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything, set them an example by doing what is good.” (vs 6).

Finally, to the leaders of the church, he advised, “In your teaching, show integrity, seriousness, and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” (vs 7–8).

Imagine how powerful and convincing the Christian message would be if we followed these pieces of advice from St. Paul.

May your Tuesday bear good fruits.

Fr. Isaac Chima