31/08/2023

What is it about the Thessalonians that so pleases St Paul.? He must have spent some time with them and got to know the individuals who listened to his teaching to become the Church, the Body of Christ, in Thessalonica . What is it that they received from him to grow their own community of faithful servant-friends of God and make him thank God for their faith?

Paul had studied the Scriptures and knew the intricacies of the devotion of the Pharisees. We can be sure that he did not burden them with this "law". God is never changing so we can be sure that the Holy Spirit was no stronger then than now. 

Paul had been literally blinded by the Resurrection and was possessed by the Holy Spirit to do the will of the Father. He was an extension of Christ, preaching the same Gospel as Jesus. He was a learned man but his teaching was unmarred by any human thinking. He was the same Paul, preaching the same message who had been received much less successfully down the road at Philippi.

God has created us all to be free beings. We are in his image and likeness. Our bodies are limited in the same ways that all animals are but our minds and souls are free to choose how we will live out that life which is a free gift from God. In those Gospel times Jesus walked on earth and completed God's will for mankind but he did not force anyone to obey him. 

Jesus told us that there is a place for all of us in the glory of his "Father's House"but equally warned us that there are limits to the "free gift". The first Church of Thessalonica chose to respond positively to the Good News. The Philippians were less positive. Today we humans are conquering space, defeating the causes of disease but what good can come to anyone of us if we do not guard our most precious possession. Jesus warns us that the burglars are prowling all around us. May we all be warned.

Dear Lord, Please help me in the daily task of being watchful and awake to the dangers the comforts of our world bring to some of us, may the less fortunate be aware that the sorrows of this world will also pass away as do the riches. May Mary and all the saints implore thy mercy on all this world so that rich in their pride and poor in their misery know that God will ensure a just eternal outcome for us all. For rich or poor we all have the freedom to know or reject you. May your grace ensure that we are all true to you. May the drowning migrant and the dying pampered billionaire accept the grace you offered  to the repentant thief. Help me to become deeds not empty words.