I have probably used the most dangerous word in the western world. Because submission is seen as something we have to do to external and anti christian forces… from Islam to militant humanism. But we are told to submit. That there are roles in our life that we have because of our sex, our age and because we are in families. SInce I cannot call my young, I have highlighted those bits that are the duties of the older person in the faith (noting that there is nothing here about eldership or being a bishop. This is for all in Christ).
1But as for you, teach what is consistent with sound doctrine. 2Tell the older men to be temperate, serious, prudent, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance.
3Likewise, tell the older women to be reverent in behavior, not to be slanderers or slaves to drink; they are to teach what is good, 4so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5to be self-controlled, chaste, good managers of the household, kind, being submissive to their husbands, so that the word of God may not be discredited.
6Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7Show yourself in all respects a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity, 8and sound speech that cannot be censured; then any opponent will be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us.
9Tell slaves to be submissive to their masters and to give satisfaction in every respect; they are not to talk back, 10not to pilfer, but to show complete and perfect fidelity, so that in everything they may be an ornament to the doctrine of God our Savior.
Men are expected to have what the Romans called dignitas Seriousness, an awareness that there is a higher purpose in our life, and a sense of their mana or clout. But they are not to abuse this by losing their temper, by being oppressive, but to be temperate, balanced (the prime Roman virtue) and to let their righteousness exceed the stoics. Common sins for older men — despair and grumpy anger — are warned against.
Older women are to teach the younger how to love their husbands and children. Not the young. Marrying is accepting that you are in an ultramarathon and not a spirit. And two common sins for older women — gossiping and drunkenness (which, today, would include benzos and other sedatives) are mentioned.
For the young… they are to submit to the teaching of the old and obey their parents or masters. Now,, you may say this is hard. Tough. Titus was living in a much more unjust society, with much harsher punishments (A Roman paterfamilias could kill any slave or child with impunity). We are to submit to each other because we are submitted to God.
WHich brings us to the Gospel. For Mary is honored precisely because she submitted to shame, dishonour and shunning for the sake of the gospel.
26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
(Yes, this was a reading on Sunday. The RCL notes the text for each Sunday, but there are daily readings at the site. On Sunday, I look at both…).
Mary submitted to the word of God, and became pregnant. By the law, she should have been stoned. Joseph was a righteous man: he did not want to do that but could not tolerate her clear infidelity (she was pregnant) and thus was about to quietly divorce her. Which would have been legitimate — she was betrothed to him. However, God sent him also a vision… and Mary spent much of her pregnancy in Judea, with Elizabeth. Away from the gossip and stares.
Mary may have been young, and somewhat inexperienced, but she was not stupid. She would have been aware as to what happened to girls who got themselves knocked up outside of wedlock. Her submission to the word of God was costly. We need to be aware that ours may be costly as well.