The Saturday after Oculi Sunday
Posted on March 14, 2026 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
Yesterday we heard about the role of the Ministry. It is to serve God’s people with His Word and Sacraments. God’s Word serves as the foundation of sound doctrine, which in turn serves as the guide to the Christian’s daily life. Paul demonstrates this to Titus in the admonishments to older men and young men, to older women and young women, and to bondservants. For Titus to serve faithfully as a Minister of God’s Church, he must always put God’s Word before the people to serve as their guide throughout life.
As God’s people live out their lives, what will always follow is the ongoing problem of sin. Servants in the Holy Ministry are called by God to be His voice to the people, calling them to repentance. As we read earlier this week, sometimes being God’s bondservant can bring with it great trouble. For the faithful Minister, he may find that he must suffer for the sake of Jesus Christ and the Gospel. But be that as it may, sound doctrine must never be relinquished, regardless of the circumstances facing the servant. Nor must sound doctrine be relinquished in the lives of God’s people. As faithful pastors bring to us sound doctrine, God leads us to see our need for Christ and His forgiveness of sins.
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.
