Create a peaceful space to pause, and allow yourself to feel God’s presence alongside you, as near to you as your own breath. In following the reflection below, as a church we will draw closer to God and to one another as we grow in faith and deepen our sense of belonging to God.
Titus 3:1-2 ‘Maintaining Good Deeds’
1 Remind your people to be subject to rulers and authorities,
to be obedient,
to be ready for every good work,
2 to speak evil of no one,
to avoid quarrelling,
to be gentle,
and to show every courtesy to everyone.
Titus was a Greek, a partner and fellow worker of Paul, but he does not appear in Acts. We learn of him in Paul’s letters. He accompanied Paul and Barnabas to the Council at Jerusalem when Gentiles, like Titus, were accepted into the Christian Church without becoming Jews first. He seems to have accompanied Paul on his journeys and was used by Paul in dealings with the church at Corinth. When Paul writes this letter Titus was in Crete, perhaps having been left by Paul to organise and care for the Christian church there. Most probably the two of them had discussed what Titus should do and say and this letter is a confirmation of what they had agreed. And why is he not mentioned in Acts? Some say he was Luke’s brother and hence as Luke did not mention himself so he did not mention his brother either.
Isn’t the Bible wonderful! The words Paul wrote about 2,000 years ago could have been written for the current pandemic. We are called to obey the Government’s instructions as to how to behave so that we protect each other from the virus. We are called to be ready to help our friends and neighbours and all those in need at this time. If we are shut in with others we are reminded to be patient and to watch what we say and don’t argue. For all of us, whether with others or alone, we should be kind and gentle not just with others but with ourselves as well. This type of behaviour was expected of the Christians in Crete many years ago; this is what God expects of us today and our loving Father God will give us the strength and grace to follow it through.
Prayer:
Loving God,
we thank you for your Word, the Bible,
which is as relevant for us today as when it was written.We thank you that whatever you ask us to do and be
your indwelling Holy Spirit will give us the ability to do it ,
and if and when we fail, you pick us up and help us to start anew.We thank you for this loving care you have for us, each one, each hour.
You are our God and we are your people.
We praise you. Amen.
Reflection and Prayer © 2020 Gillian Wood.
Image by Rev. Ally Barrett available at https://reverendally.org/art/
A printable version of this Daily Devotional can be downloaded from here
All material reproduced by permission under CCL 1226356