Doctrine and daily discipline

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today underline how living temperately, justly, and with devotion sets the bias for transformation of the disciples of Christ and those who are attracted to Jesus by witnessing their service to others.

Serving the community

The pastoral letter of Titus describes the character of Christians who provide a good example to the community.

* [2:11–15] Underlying the admonitions for moral improvement in Ti 2:1–10 as the moving force is the constant appeal to God’s revelation of salvation in Christ, with its demand for transformation of life.

In the Gospel from Luke, Jesus declares the attitude of servants that His followers need to exhibit.

* [17:7–10] These sayings of Jesus, peculiar to Luke, which continue his response to the apostles’ request to increase their faith (Lk 17:5–6), remind them that Christian disciples can make no claim on God’s graciousness; in fulfilling the exacting demands of discipleship, they are only doing their duty.

Larry Hopp observes that following God’s directives is not only something we all need to do, but it is also something we are “obligated to do”!

What a life changing concept, followers of Jesus are obligated to do good - not to earn grace, but because that is what followers of Christ must do.  We do not do good so that others will notice or to earn praise. As servants of our heavenly father, doing good is something that we just take delight in, because we love and follow Jesus.

Don Schwager quotes “We are called to humble service”, by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.

"You do not say to your servant, 'Sit down,' but require more service from him and do not thank him. The Lord also does not allow only one work or labor for you, because so long as we live we must always work.    "Know that you are a servant overwhelmed by very much obedience. You must not set yourself first, because you are called a son of God. Grace must be acknowledged, but nature not overlooked. Do not boast of yourself if you have served well, as you should have done. The sun obeys, the moon complies (Joshua 10:12-13; Baruch 6:60), and the angels serve... Let us not require praise from ourselves nor prevent the judgment of God and anticipate the sentence of the Judge but reserve it for its own time and Judge." (excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 8.31-32)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Titus 2:1-8, 11-14 comments that today’s first reading calls believers to “live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age” and asks:  What does it look like for us to live this way?

To live temperately means to be moderate and balanced, not prone to extremes… today, temperance also includes being judicious about our screen time. And because we live in a materialistic culture, we need to look at our purchases, being careful not to get caught up in a cycle of buying things we don’t need.
To live justly means to be righteous—morally upright and obedient to God’s commands… today the complexities of work and family life can absorb us to the point where we don’t notice the people around us who are in need. But living justly means looking beyond our own concerns to care for those who are suffering.
A devout person makes attending Sunday Mass and having a regular prayer time a priority. A devout person knows that’s one of the best ways to strengthen their relationship with the Lord.

Friar Jude Winkler traces how the sound doctrine in the letter of Titus leads to good example that might lead others to faith. The reward for service is the ability to serve more. Friar Jude discusses the rabbinic interpretation of I AM.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares his witness on how hearts and minds have changed, through the CAC’s important mission of service. The household instructions for the disciples of Jesus involve discipline and inspiration from the Spirit. The service of others is loving work for the followers of the Way.

References

(n.d.). Titus chapter 2 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved November 13, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/titus/2
(n.d.). Luke chapter 17 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved November 13, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/17
(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved November 13, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 13, 2018, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
(n.d.). Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr (Memorial) - Mass Readings and .... Retrieved November 13, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/