The first reading from the book of Titus describes the list of domestic duties urged upon the Church by Paul. Members of the community are asked to set good family examples, such as, self-control, steadfastness, and love for others. The list is important because it contains not only the key virtues demanded of Christian families, but also describes the public face that Christianity must demonstrate to the world at large. For example, could Christians be good parents and raise honourable families? Would Christianity set new values and standards for the world? Would Christians be upright and loyal citizens? In other words, Christians have to live in a way that "the message of God is never disgraced."

In the message to his disciples, Jesus states that there will always be stumbling blocks to the living of Christian discipleship. However, he warns them against being self-assured that they have more faith than others because they are his disciples. He uses the parable of the servant to illustrate this point. Servants of the Lord must not assume that they deserve or can earn a special reward because of their service. If good work is expected of the servant as an ordinary part of his duties, why should the disciple of Jesus think faithful service is not the basic requirement of following the master? In the same way, we too should not assume that we have an entitlement to God's blessings merely because we are Christians. We have to live our faith in a way that demonstrates the values and standards set for us by Christ.