Aug 26 2020 Reflection

Wednesday 26 August 2020

First Reading: 2 THES 3:6-10, 16-18
Responsorial Psalm:
Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
PS 128:1-2, 4-5
Gospel Reading: MT 23:27-32

Today’s Note: Wednesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel Reading:

Jesus said,
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside,
but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth.
Even so, on the outside you appear righteous,
but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You build the tombs of the prophets
and adorn the memorials of the righteous, 
and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors,
we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets’ blood.’
Thus you bear witness against yourselves
that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets;
now fill up what your ancestors measured out!”

Reflection:

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

If you knew the world was going to end tomorrow, would you bother working today? Scholars think this may have been the issue that the Christians in Thessalonica were struggling with. Believing that the Second Coming of Christ was near, some people had stopped working and began living off other people. This did nothing but stir up anxiety and division. 

So Paul wrote to assure them that even though the end could happen at any time, they needed to continue living every day to its fullest. He pointed to his own example when he lived with them: “In toil and drudgery, night and day we worked, so as not to burden any of you” (2 Thessalonians 3:8).

Paul understood that life can be a hard slog at times. He knew that it could be tempting to throw in the towel and just wait for Christ to come again. But he also knew the value of work as a way to practice the art of serving and caring for other people. He knew how important it was for everyone to contribute to the good of the people around them. For without this sense of accomplishment, without the blessings of responsibility and dedication that come from work, our minds can wander into darkness, and we can lose sight of our calling to be a light to the world.

Of course not everyone can work at a job. But that doesn’t mean we should give up. There’s plenty to do! Volunteering at our church or local community center can help us make a difference. Committing to keep in touch with family and friends can make us a voice of encouragement and blessing. And there’s always the necessary and fruitful work of interceding, not just for loved ones, but for everyone!

Paul ended his letter asking God to pour out his peace on the Thessalonians (2 Thessalonians 3:16). We can look at this as a standard sign-off, but perhaps there’s something more. Perhaps Paul took one final opportunity to remind them that peace is more likely to grow when everyone is actively committed to the work and vocation God has given them.

“Lord, help me focus on your promises as I to do your work on earth.“