For the grace of God has appeared, saving all 12 and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, 13 as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good (Tit. 2:11-14)
We ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deluded, slaves to various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful ourselves and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, 5 not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit, 6 whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, 7 so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life (Titus 3:3-7).
Titus, a Gentile convert, was one of St. Paul’s closest companions. The authorship is uncertain. The author speaks about what a true teacher of the Gospel is to teach. The first passage deals with God’s saving action (Tit. 2:11-14) and the second passage deals with God’s saving action (Tit. 3:3-7)
God’s saving grace has appeared for all humanity and Christians can live virtuously and in hope in the current age because of Jesus Christ through whom the power of God is manifested. God’s grace also allows Christians to receive a true education and trains the Christian to reject impiety and lead a virtuous life. St. Paul views Christ as subordinate to God yet both God and Christ are called ‘great’ and appear in glory. God made a promise in the OT to redeem and cleanse His people; “I will deliver them from all their apostasy through which they sinned. I will cleanse them so that they will be my people, and I will be their God (Ezek. 37:23).”
Converts were once like those who did not believe in Christ and lived profligate lives but were rescued by God’s gratuitous grace. Out of God’s abundant mercy, they were Baptized and received the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ, our savior. They were ‘justified’ by the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ which earned for them and us a share in his eternal life.
Almighty God, without your grace and mercy there would be no way for us to be reconciled to you. You sent your only begotten Son to teach us how to lead virtuous lives, and through his suffering, death and resurrection he earned for us a share in your divinity. Grant, we pray, that we may continue to live in the hope of the return of our Blessed Lord and Savior and that when he returns, he will not find us lacking. This we pray through Christ out Lord. Amen!
__________________________________
References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Expanded Edition, Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Comments