In the Spirit of St. Titus, Bishop and Confessor
Today, as Holy Mother Church commemorates St. Titus, Bishop and Confessor, we are given sacred readings that beautifully illuminate the call to faithful service in God’s vineyard. The Epistle, drawn from the Book of Sirach, extols the virtues of the great patriarchs and the divine election of Aaron. The Gospel recounts Christ’s sending of the seventy-two disciples, charging them with the proclamation of the Kingdom of God.
Through these passages, we glimpse the divine economy at work in raising up faithful laborers to guide and sanctify God’s people—whether in the Old Covenant, as seen in the calling of Aaron, or in the New, through the mission given by Christ to His disciples.
The Calling of the Just: A Continuity of Divine Election
The passage from Sirach (44:16–27; 45:3–20) praises the chosen patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—whose fidelity secured blessings for their descendants. Particularly, the priestly lineage of Aaron is emphasized:
“The Lord glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him a crown of glory… He chose him out of all men living, to offer sacrifice to the Lord, incense, and a good savor, for a memorial to make reconciliation for his people” (Sir. 45:6, 16).
This divine choice is not rooted in human ambition, but in the wisdom and providence of God. As St. John Chrysostom remarks on the nature of divine election:
“God does not call the worthy, but those whom He calls, He makes worthy.” (Homily on 1 Corinthians)
Thus, Aaron’s priesthood, like that of all who serve in sacred ministry, is an act of divine mercy. He is chosen not because of his own merit, but as an instrument of God’s sanctification.
In St. Titus, whose feast we celebrate today, we see the continuation of this divine election. The disciple and companion of St. Paul, he was entrusted with the pastoral care of the Church in Crete, exemplifying the very virtues praised in Sirach—a faithful steward of God’s mysteries. St. Paul himself, in his Epistle to Titus, exhorts him to uphold sound doctrine and pastoral discipline (Titus 1:5-9).
The Apostolic Mandate: Preaching and Healing in Christ’s Name
The Gospel (Luke 10:1-9) recounts Christ sending forth the seventy-two disciples, instructing them:
“The harvest indeed is great, but the laborers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He send laborers into His harvest” (Lk. 10:2).
Here, Christ underscores the urgency of the mission. The Gospel must be proclaimed, not passively, but with zeal and urgency. The disciples are sent forth as laborers in the Lord’s vineyard, reflecting the same divine call that Aaron received and which St. Titus faithfully embraced.
The command to go forth “without purse, nor scrip, nor shoes” (Lk. 10:4) is a radical summons to evangelical poverty and trust in divine providence. As St. Augustine teaches:
“Christ did not wish His disciples to be encumbered with worldly goods, lest they seek their own profit rather than that of those to whom they preach.” (Sermon 101)
Thus, the apostolic mission is not one of personal gain, but of total self-giving for the sake of souls. The simplicity of the messengers mirrors the humility of their message: “Peace be to this house” (Lk. 10:5). The Gospel is spread not through coercion, but through the gentle power of divine charity.
St. Titus: A Model of Apostolic Zeal
St. Titus, as a bishop, embodied this apostolic mission. Sent by St. Paul to Crete, he faced the daunting task of strengthening a fledgling Christian community, ensuring that faith and discipline were upheld. The pastoral zeal required of him echoes the virtues of Aaron’s priesthood—both called to offer sacrifice, intercede for the people, and uphold divine worship.
The Venerable Bede beautifully connects the role of bishops with the mission of Christ’s disciples:
“The preachers of the Gospel are as it were the hands and feet of the Lord. Through them, He touches the hearts of men and walks among the nations.” (Commentary on Luke 10)
St. Titus, then, was one of these hands and feet of Christ, bringing the light of faith to the people of Crete. His ministry was not without trials, yet he remained steadfast, knowing that the Lord of the harvest sustains those whom He sends.
Conclusion: A Call to Faithful Service
As we reflect on these readings in light of St. Titus’ example, we are reminded that the call to serve Christ is not limited to the clergy. Every Christian is sent forth in some way—to bear witness, to preach the truth, to labor for souls.
May we, like Aaron, like the seventy-two disciples, and like St. Titus, respond to God’s call with fidelity and courage. And may we always pray, as Christ commands, for more laborers in His harvest—for “the harvest indeed is great, but the laborers are few.”
Sancte Tite, ora pro nobis!