Monday of the Twenty-FirstWeek in Ordinary Time
Paul thanks the Thessalonians
We give thanks to God always for all of you, remembering you in our prayers, unceasingly calling to mind your work of faith and labour of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father, knowing, brothers loved by God, how you were chosen. For our gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the holy Spirit and (with) much conviction. You know what sort of people we were (among) you for your sake. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth not only in Macedonia and (in) Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything … 1Thes 1,2-5.8
Today’s reading is an excerpt from the First Epistle of Paul to the brethren of the community of Thessalonica, written in AD 50-51: the first document of the New Testament. The reason for the letter is a thanksgiving for the fresh vitality of that church, which blooms abundant in the three theological virtues: faith is “committed”, charity is “hard working” and the hope is “tenacious”. These three adjectives describe with great effectiveness the life and zeal of that community. However, as Paul points out, their vitality is not only due to the efforts in spreading the gospel, but most of all God’s grace, who blessed them particularly in the “Holy Spirit” and showed many wonders among them. Because of the faith of the church of Thessalonica, the Paul’s missionary commitment in the neighbouring regions is facilitated. “In fact – Paul says – from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth not only in Macedonia and (in) Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything”. Today’s reading is a wonderful insight into the dynamic of evangelization: the Christians are called to engage themselves with all their strength, and Holy Spirit does the rest, confirming their commitment with wonders and by echoing their missionary activity in the world. Even today, it is the Holy Spirit who does it all; the Spirit himself, nevertheless, needs our commitment in order to perform its duties. Jesus said: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Mt 28,19-20)