Titus 2:1-8, 11-14 / Luke 17:7-10
The upbringing of children is one of the main concerns for responsible parents.
More than just food and shelter and education, parents also want to form their children in their character and morals and values.
But as it is always said, you can only give what you have.
Parents need to have their own set of values and principles in life before they can form their children to have the similar value and principles.
In the 1st reading, St. Paul urged Titus to preach the behaviour which goes with healthy doctrine.
The doctrine that St. Paul is referring to is obviously the teachings of Jesus Christ and the gospel values.
It is the teachings of Jesus Christ and the gospel values that must form the character and the moral and values of young and old alike.
But in order to accept and follow the teachings and values of the gospel, then God's grace is needed.
St. Paul tells Titus that God's grace has been revealed, and it has made salvation possible for the whole human race and taught us that what we have to do is to give up everything that does not lead to God, and all our worldly ambitions. We must be self-restrained and live good and religious lives here in this present world.
May the grace of God open our hearts to accept and follow the teachings and the values of the gospel so that we can be instruments to form the world in the ways of God.
That is our duty to God and our service to the world.