For the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ, 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 right- Titus 2: 11-14
Pluralism is the defining feature of our generation. In his book, The Many Altars of Modernity, Peter Berger, a religious sociologist, explained: pluralism, the co-existence of different worldviews and values systems in the same society, is the major change brought by modernity for the place of religion both in the minds of the individuals and in the institutional order.
Our life as Christians is affected by and large by all the changing events and things that are happening in the world around us where we must live out our faith faithfully. Towards that end, St Paul cautions all Christians against turning away from sound doctrine and embracing false ones as they navigate their Christian life in the modern world.
Paul’s advice in the First Reading today is instructive and authentic, and it is for Christians across the age spectrum: older men, women, young men, and young women to model goldy behaviors that are consistent with sound doctrines. False doctrinal, political, and philosophical teachings will always show forth bad fruit among us. Living our lives by these teachings and standards doesn’t only make more godless, but also, we dishonor the true Christian profession.
So, Paul presses home the idea of choosing a godly lifestyle predicated upon sound doctrine, which stands in stark contrast with unhealthy teachings, and can free our consciences and minds from the entanglement with worldliness. "You must say what is consistent with sound doctrine," says Paul.
He goes on to assure us of the help and support available to us: For the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God .and of our savior Jesus Christ.
The Christian cannot remove himself or herself from the world but can certainly live in it and please God with saintly and godly life if the decision is made. Choosing to live and model authentic Christianity is hard but not impossible. If we can so live to please God in every dimension of our lives, the Christian value of temperance is key.
Prayer blessings: How about praying the Angelus together today at 12 Noon and 6 pm. The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary: And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary…. Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word. Hail Mary... And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us. Hail Mary... Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.