Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop
Do not cause these little ones to sin.
Click here for today's readings on the USCCB website.
Reading: Titus 1:1-9
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 24:1b-2, 3-4ab, 5-6
Alleluia: Philemon 2:15d, 16a
Gospel: Luke 17:1-6
Titus in Crete (Titus 1:1-9)
In today’s first reading, St. Paul is writing to Titus on the island of Crete and gives him instructions to appoint presbyters, priests, in every town. St. Paul gives Titus the criteria upon which to choose these men.
6 on condition that a man be blameless, married only once, with believing children who are not accused of licentiousness or rebellious.
7 For a bishop as God’s steward must be blameless, not arrogant, not irritable, not a drunkard, not aggressive, not greedy for sordid gain,
8 but hospitable, a lover of goodness, temperate, just, holy, and self-controlled,
9 holding fast to the true message as taught so that he will be able both to exhort with sound doctrine and to refute opponents.Titus 1:6-9
In this, we begin to see the authority of Paul and Titus and Apostolic succession in practice. Titus appointing priests who in turn would then minister to the people of God. Eventually, raising up some of those men to be bishop.
St. Paul’s criteria for choosing of the presbyters requires discernment on the part of Titus. This same discernment process continues to this day, albeit it is 9 or 10 years depending on the diocese. The vocations director, the bishop, the formators, and the person who is either discerning entering into the seminary or if they are already in seminary discern the Will of God through the entire process. This same discernment goes on for those that are looking to enter or are already in the formation process for the diaconate.
This formation process will continue all the way up until the point that the bishop lays his hands on the men who are discerning the priesthood or diaconate. At any time up to that point, both the bishop and the one who is to be ordained can discern that the call to Holy Orders is not to be their vocation.
Therefore, it is important that the bishop is able to understand those who will be his representatives at the parish level. Especially their moral character. In the end, they need to minister to their flocks and bring souls to heaven and the bishop has to discern if they can do that.
I would encourage you to consider your vocation today, especially if you are single. Is God calling you to a life of service to his people, either as a priest, or religious brother or sister? If you are married, have you considered and possibly discerned the diaconate? I would invite you to prayerfully consider these vocations.
Temptations to Sin and Saying of Faith (Luke 17:1-6)
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells his disciples that sin will eventually occur. But Jesus tells them that while yes, we will eventually sin, it is far graver to cause another to sin, especially where it concerns children.
2 It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.
Luke 17:2
We have concupiscence to sin through our stain of original sin, even if it that original sin has been washed away in the sacrament of Baptism. And because of that, we need to make judicious use of the sacrament of Reconciliation. It is through the sacrament and with the guidance of the priest, that we can, with God’s grace, overcome our particular sins and vices.
But in this Gospel, Jesus warns us about leading or teaching others to sin. On social media, I see people attempting to justify pornography and contraception and abortion. And they pass the idea of contraception and abortion down to their sons and daughters under the guise of “the freedom to choose.” I see people justify and promote the use of pornography, even though it destroys so many marriages and sets unrealistic expectations between men and women and degrades both. In the end, it ultimately, if unchecked and unrepented, leads to the destruction of the soul.
In the second part of the Gospel, the apostles ask Jesus to increase their faith.
6 The Lord replied, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to [this] mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you
Luke 17:6
We need to have faith and with need to increase our prayer life. Not just memorized prayer, but contemplative prayer. We need to invite Jesus into our lives and we need to talk to Him. We need to study His Word because He is the Word Incarnate. Through prayer and study and God’s grace, we can increase our faith. And as that faith increases, again with God’s grace, we can break free of some of our vices and sins.
How will you increase your faith? What are you needing to leave behind? If you are viewing pornography, I beg you to stop. If you are using contraception, I urge you to stop and be open to God’s plan for life and let His blessings be upon you. If you have had an abortion or have been a party to one, I invite you first to have a spirit of repentance and then look up your diocesan Project Rachel. Through that program, which is available to both women and men, you can become reconciled to the Church and begin the path of healing.
Act of Denouncing Evil
I reject the evil that has infiltrated my life because I have distanced myself from Jesus; I have abandoned the mysteries, I have neglected prayer, and I have been devoted solely to what is passing. I refuse the evil that I have accepted and which I have stupidly committed through
ignorance or thoughtlessness, through anger or unawareness, for fear of being considered different or of being criticized. I am aware of and reject whatever evil I have done and that I have caused all of society. In a special way, I reject the spiritually polluting actions of blasphemies, false promises and oaths, usury, the unjust delay of payments, injustices, favoritisms, séances, and all the occult practices. Christ, the Savior, save me by the power of Your Cross.
Amen.