Self-Control
The early Church to which Titus is writing in today’s Scripture passage was vulnerable to slanderous attacks. They were therefore very keen to ensure that they lived virtuous lives beyond reproach. An important virtue, repeated frequently in this passage is ‘self-control’.
We might consider today how others would rate our way of life.
Do we live an ordered and self-controlled way of life?
Today’s Prayer
Preparation: Begin by stilling; then dedicating the time of prayer to God and asking God that all you think, feel and imagine are for the glory of God.
Gift: Ask for what you desire. Suggestion: To be given the grace to live with integrity in a loving way so all may see me as a follower of Christ.
Setting: A Scripture reading to ponder – Lectio Divina.
Scripture
Titus 2 NIVUK
You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
Conversation: Talk to Jesus in your own words as a friend
Final Prayer: End with a formal prayer such as the Lord’s Prayer/Our Father.
Today’s Music
All People that on Earth Do Dwell – Ralph Vaughan Williams