EPISTLE. Titus iii. 4-7.
Dearly Beloved: The goodness and kindness of God our Saviour appeared: not by the works of justice which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the laver of regeneration, and renovation of the Holy Ghost, Whom He hath poured forth upon us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour: that, being justified by His grace, we may be heirs, according to hope, of life everlasting in Christ Jesus our Lord.
What does St. Paul teach us in this epistle?
He teaches us what God has done and is doing that we may have eternal life, and why He does it. Not by our own merits, but according to His mercy, He has saved us by holy Baptism, for we were conceived and born in sin. Let us show by our lives that we are renewed by the Holy Ghost, and animated by the hope of life everlasting.
Why did not God have mercy on the fallen angels? This is a mystery which should heighten our love to God, but should also fill us with fear and trembling, for if we do not
