Anybody else hear an "apology" for Colossians 3:18 today?

In an otherwise excellent homily, I, once again, heard the "things-were-different-in-those-days" mention regarding the passage in Colossians 3:18. I wish homilists would either skip any reference to this, or, preferably, take a leaf out of Father Ray Ryland's book whose Holy Family Sunday homily of last year is here...and well worth the read.

(Again, the homily I heard today was terrific except for that unnecessary "explanation.")