January 26, 2025 - Feast of St. Titus Sermon

Color: White

First Reading: Acts 20:28–35
Psalm: Psalm 71:1–14; antiphon: v. 17
Epistle: Titus 1:1–9
Gospel: Luke 10:1–9
Introit: Psalm 89:1, 5, 15–16; antiphon: Titus 3:4–5a
Gradual: Ezekiel 34:11, 12b; Jeremiah 23:4a, b
Verse: Titus 2:11

St. Titus, Pastor and Confessor
 
“Faith,” the “knowledge of the truth” and the “hope of eternal life” are manifested daily among us in His Word through the preaching of the Gospel of Christ Jesus (Titus 1:1–3). The times seem desperate: “Fierce wolves” are among us, “not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:29), and “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Luke 10:2). The Lord, however, is diligent to build and care for the Church, “which he obtained with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). We are not to fear, but rather to “pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest” (Luke 10:2). Send us faithful laborers! Preserve all pastors and teachers, that they “hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught” so that they, like St. Titus, “may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9)! Give us ears to hear their preaching in repentance and faith. Preserve them from falsehood, greed and unholy living. We commend them to You and the Word of Your grace (Acts 20:32), that “when the chief Shepherd appears,” (1 Peter 5:4) He may declare, “Well done, good and faithful servant. … Enter into the joy of your master” (Matt. 25:21).

Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship