Today we live in a world of equality. Or at least we would like to think we do.

We would like to believe that all women and men are created equal and that all have the proverbial right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” But just spend 30 minutes watching the evening news, any channel or cable network, and you will see we have a long, long way to go.

In the Book of Titus, the Apostle Paul sets forth some rather demanding, albeit aspirational, goals for women and men and how each should live their lives. Older men (not younger) must be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, love, and endurance. Older women were given specific challenges as well: reverent in their behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to drink, and teaching what is good.

Paul also outlines specific attributes for young men, to control themselves, showing yourself as a model of good deeds in every respect, with integrity in your teaching, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be criticized, so that the opponent will be put to shame without anything bad to say about us. Again, all very noble and worthy of pursuit.

But in today’s world of equals, maybe ALL of us should focus not just on the words that align with our gender, but on the entire passage. Perhaps each group should strive to follow the guidelines set forth for both women and men – the proverbial what is good for the goose is good for the gander idiom.

As we further reflect on the reading, maybe Paul himself is pointing us in that very direction when he concludes his separate lists of worthy attributes with the words, For the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope.
Today, as we do our daily Examen of Conscience, let us focus on the last few words of the First Reading, eager to do what is good, and strive to see and feel God’s watchful eye and presence in all we do. And to remind ourselves that whether we are male or female, we ALL need to be eager to do what is good, because doing so demonstrates our faith in action.

Let us not only speak out against inequality when we see it, but act and commit to righting the wrong, so that all people are equals, fully able to enjoy “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”