Saturday after Oculi Sunday
Posted on March 9, 2024 by under
Scripture: Titus 2:1-10 (NKJV)
2:1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: 2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; 3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
6 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.
9 Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.
Devotion
The same virtues that were required of pastors and their wives in yesterday’s reading are here required of all Christians. St. Paul connects these virtues directly to sound doctrine. Doctrine and practice cannot be separated. We are obligated to behave in a way which fits what we believe. True faith should produce reverence, temperance, love, patience, chastity, obedience, integrity, and all other virtues.
Modern churches have largely abandoned sound doctrine, so it should not surprise us that our society lacks these kinds of virtues. Older men are not temperate, older women are not reverent, young women are not chaste homemakers, young men are not sober-minded, and employees are not obedient. When sound doctrine is not guarded and preserved, the house cannot be expected to remain swept and tidy. Vice, disorder, and a multitude of evil spirits will inevitably take over.
The world tries to use our lives as a foothold to attack the truth of God’s Word. By producing virtues in us, the Holy Spirit is protecting the Word of God from blasphemy. When our enemies have nothing evil to say about us, then it becomes clearer to all that our doctrine is true and good.
Collect: We beseech Thee, Almighty God, look upon the hearty desires of Thy humble servants, and stretch forth the right hand of Thy majesty to be our defense against all our enemies; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for the Season of Lent
Almighty and Everlasting God, Who hatest nothing that Thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
