In reflecting on the passages from the Book of Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) and the Gospel of Luke, we are invited into a rich tapestry of Jewish wisdom and Christian mission, a reflection that resonates with the spirit of Saint Titus, a companion of Saint Paul and a figure of early Christian leadership and organization.
The passage from Ecclesiasticus celebrates the great figures of Israel’s history, emphasizing their faith, wisdom, and the covenants God made with them. It speaks to the foundational role of the patriarchs and leaders like Moses and Aaron in shaping the identity and faith of God’s people. In a similar vein, Luke’s account of Jesus sending out the seventy-two disciples underscores the mission of spreading God’s kingdom, healing, and peace. This mission is not just for the select few but is extended through Christ to all who follow him, symbolizing a new covenant where the message of salvation and peace is to be proclaimed to all nations.
Saint Titus, as one who was tasked with organizing, teaching, and leading Christian communities, embodies the virtues and challenges presented in these passages. Like the patriarchs and prophets honored in Ecclesiasticus, Titus was a pioneer in the early Church, laying down structures that would sustain the community of believers. His mission, much like that of the seventy-two, involved spreading the teachings of Christ, fostering unity, and ensuring that the message of love and redemption reached all corners of his domain.
Reflecting on these scriptures in the spirit of Saint Titus calls us to appreciate the continuity of God’s salvific plan from the Old Testament to the New. It also invites us to consider our own roles in the mission of the Church today. Just as Titus was called to build up the Body of Christ through teaching, governance, and pastoral care, so too are we called to contribute to the life and growth of our communities.
We are reminded that the foundation of our mission is rooted in the history and wisdom of Israel, as recounted in Ecclesiasticus, and is brought to fulfillment in the life and teachings of Jesus. Like Titus, we are called to be faithful stewards of this great tradition, to seek out the lost, to heal the broken, and to proclaim the Good News of God’s kingdom. In doing so, we participate in the ongoing story of salvation, a story that spans from the patriarchs and prophets to the apostles and saints, and continues through us today.