Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 3:7-13
Mathew 24:42-51
Reflection:
We find a message of gratitude in Paul’s Letter to the Thessalonians.
‘What Thanksgiving, then, can we render to God for you, for all the joy we feel on your account before our God?’
It is a nice feeling when we receive praise and thanks. Sometimes in our busyness, we can forget how important a kind word or gentle action on our part can mean to those around us. It doesn’t always have to be about us. Our loving creator God loves us unconditionally and calls us to pay that same example of love and care forward, even to those we may not even like!
Saint Paul further calls the Thessalonians and us as well to remember God’s law of love for our neighbor:
Now may God himself, our Father, and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you,
And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and
For all.
We live in tumultuous times where love and goodwill for others aren’t always seen as a high priority, where saying thank you isn’t heard often enough, and where trust and respect for one another are not always valued. We know that there are good people who surround us and exciting things happening on our part as we follow Jesus’ example to love and care for those who are most in need. Parishes, communities and many families spend countless hours at food pantries, refugee resettlement programs, tutoring programs, and so many other activities.
In the coming days and months, may we take time to focus on helping those who cannot help themselves, speak out for the voiceless, and make an effort to show the face of Christ to those we worship with, live with, and those we don’t necessarily agree with.
Theresa Secord is a retired Pastoral Associate at St. Agnes Parish, Louisville, Kentucky.