Amy Kelley, Director of Program Ministries, Gethsemane

Titus 3:1-8 (CEB)
1 Remind them to submit to rulers and authorities. They should be obedient and ready to do every good thing. 2 They shouldn’t speak disrespectfully about anyone, but they should be peaceful, kind, and show complete courtesy toward everyone. 3 We were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, and slaves to our desires and various pleasures too. We were spending our lives in evil behavior and jealousy. We were disgusting, and we hated other people. 4 But “when God our savior’s kindness and love appeared, 5 he saved us because of his mercy, not because of righteous things we had done. He did it through the washing of new birth and the renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 which God poured out upon us generously through Jesus Christ our savior. 7 So, since we have been made righteous by his grace, we can inherit the hope for eternal life.” 8 This saying is reliable. And I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have come to believe in God might give careful attention to doing good. These things are good and useful for everyone.

Reflection:
This Letter to Titus from Paul is highly underrated. This is my kind of book. It’s quick, to-the-point, and easy to read. Just three chapters! So, Titus was a trusted friend of Paul and a follower of Jesus Christ. Because Titus had learned the way of Christ for himself, Paul leaves him in Crete with a big responsibility. He is tasked with organizing the church, but perhaps more importantly, teaching the Cretans how to reorient their lives toward Christ. The Cretans had gone off the rails, much like the world today. They were caught up in political strife, jealousy, corruption in the home and in public spheres and more. I encourage you to read chapters one and two to understand just what Titus was up against doing this “how to live a Christian life” work.

This Christian life “work” calls forth integrity, kindness, faith, self-control, and generosity from ourselves. St. Luke’s focused on those during our “Sharing the Light” sermon series. Sharing God’s light in this way is our calling. Modeling Jesus’ teachings should be our life.

Listen, we get the chance to be a “Titus” every moment we are alive. It’s not everyone’s job to organize the church and lead the community, but it is our job to live according to these principles. Paul’s instructions are not hard or complicated for us to follow. We’re the ones who make it a challenge. For the list maker in some of us (me!), it goes like this:

 Objective: Straighten out the world, one life at a time.

  1. Share God’s light.
  2. Do every good thing.
  3. Be peaceful.
  4. Be kind.
  5. Thank God for sending Jesus to show us how to live.
  6. Thank God for sending the Holy Spirit to surround us with guidance.
  7. Again, do good.

This task list reminds me of the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These core traits could change the world, one human at a time. Imagine what our homes, churches, communities, and the world would look like. We just have to declare…WE ARE TITUS! Then do the everyday work.

Prayer:
God, I know it sounds so simple. But it’s such a struggle sometimes when it feels like I can’t do the work, especially when I feel alone. Help me to understand that we are ALL Titus, and we are all in this together. Remind me that I can do this. We can worship and live each day with love and kindness and all the other things your Son showed us. We can change this world, one human at a time. I am Titus. We are all Titus. Amen.