After giving Titus a list of qualities for the leaders of this new community, and telling them that the older generation needs to be good examples to the next generation, he lists the virtues that they need and the fact that forgiveness is possible in spite of previous sins.
This forgiveness is not because of their goodness but because of the goodness of God.
Their sinfulness washed away in Baptism and their receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit are only because of the grace and mercy of God who sent his Son to save us.
Now we are heirs to the Kingdom.
However, this points out clearly that now that we have been justified through faith, our behavior needs to be in line with our faith.
I think that for me, the hardest of these rules to keep is to speak no evil of anyone. I am trying!
With so much controversy in today's world, and all the information that comes out talking about unspeakable actions of evil, it is hard to speak well of some people.
In the past few years, so much has come out about abuse of women, abuse of power, domestic abuse; that it becomes more and more difficult to believe in the goodness of people.
Yet, that is what we are called to do: believe in the goodness of people.
This is necessary if we want others to believe in our goodness.
We know that given the right – or wrong – circumstances, anyone can fall into sin. We are not perfect and we have no right to judge others.
We want forgiveness, and we have no right to think that others don't deserve forgiveness.
For me, then, the challenge is to examine my own behavior and let God take care of the rest.
