Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ:
Today, January 26, 2021 is when the Christian Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Titus, Pastor and Confessor. The Church remembers him today for his dedication to the Gospel and shepherding people in their Christian faith.
This post is devoted to one of the Feast Days that the historic Christian Church regularly observed that are generally neglected today. I pray that you find this message beneficial in your devotions this or another day.
“Saint Titus, like Timothy with whom he is often associated, was a friend and co-worker of Saint Paul. Titus was a Gentile, perhaps a native of Antioch, who accompanied Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem when they brought assistance to the Christians in Judea during a famine (Acts 11:29-30; Galatians 2:1). It is not known if he accompanied Paul on his first or second missionary journeys, but Titus was with him on the third one, when he helped reconcile the Corinthians to Paul (2 Corinthians 7:6-7) and assisted with the collection for the church in Jerusalem (2 Corinthians 8:3-6). It was probably on the return to Jerusalem that Paul left Titus in Crete (Titus 1:4-5). Afterwards he is found working in Dalmatia (2 Timothy 4:10). According to tradition, Titus returned to Crete, where he served as bishop until he died about AD 96.” 1
The verse or theme for this feast is “Alleluia. The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people. Alleluia.” It is from Titus 2:11.
First Reading Acts 20:28-35
Psalm Psalm 71:1-14 (antiphon v. 17)
Epistle Titus 1:1-9
Gospel Luke 10:1-9
The hymn appointed for this day is “Preach You the Word and Plant It Home” as found on page 586 in the Lutheran Service Book. You may listen and sing along with this hymn at this direct link: Preach You the Word – LSB 586 – YouTube
Collect of the Day:
Almighty God, You called Titus to the work of pastor and teacher. Make all shepherds of Your flock diligent in preaching Your holy Word so that the whole world may know the immeasurable riches of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with the You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Pastor Jim Tuell
1 Treasury of Daily Prayer, Scot A Kinnaman, General Editor, Concordia Publishing House, Saint Louis, MO., 2008, p, 1155.
