There are two readings today.

SCRIPTURE: Titus 2
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. [Titus 2:9-10]
Paul urges Titus to stress integrity, character and morality in an immoral society.
Even the slaves who follow Jesus ought to model remarkable humility and grace, so that they can draw their masters to Jesus.
This is an important point to note: the way of Jesus is not a way of disruptive revolution (turning things upside down with rebellion) but a way of redemptive subversion (turning things upside down with grace).

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. [Matthew 5:16]
After His words about the poor and the meek, Jesus also urges His followers to be models of light in a dark world, that all who see them will be drawn to praise God.
By their actions, Jesus’ followers make the way of Jesus attractive.
All of them, including those in unjust circumstances (citizens under unjust rulers, slaves under unjust masters, wives under unjust husbands).
Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. [1 Peter 3:1-2]

This principle can be extended today to employees under unjust employers, students under harsh teachers, citizens under corrupt governments.
But does this mean that victims must be doormats under their oppressors?
No, like Jesus they can speak out against injustice, they can remove themselves from unjust situations (if they are physically able), they can appeal to the authorities…
But the purpose of this action is redemption and healing, not revenge or personal advantage.
And the spirit of this action ought to be humble, grace-filled, forgiving, not bitter or vindictive.
It ought to demonstrate forgiveness, love for the enemy, and going the extra mile to help the oppressor experience grace and mercy.
This is how Jesus did it; this is how Jesus’ followers make His way attractive.

This is not something we can do on our own: like the moon, we do not generate the light, we only reflect it when we face it (i.e. the sun).
Only as we focus on Jesus, only as we rely on Him, only as His Spirit shines in us, can we reflect His light in this dark world.
Let us make it our goal to make Jesus and His way attractive; to that end let us draw near to Jesus and allow Him to draw others to Himself through us.

PRAYER:
Lord, I do not have it in me to be so gracious and merciful. May Your Spirit generate this in me, and may others be attracted to You through me.