Scripture: Monday, 21st week. IThessalonians 1:2-5.8-10. Psalm
149:1-2.3-4.5-6.9. Matthew 23:13-22. Lectionary # 425:

Reflection upon the first chapter of I Thessalonians takes us back to the
first written document in the New Testament. Paul has the honor of being
its inspiration and his words are very comforting and consoling not only
for the Thessalonians but for all who read it with attention and faith.
All of Paul's letters have an introduction and then a prayer of
thanksgiving. Only the Galatians are given a short reprimand in this first
section of each of his epistles. We are rather certain that Paul's first
writing of I Thessalonians occurred in 51 A.D.

Not only are the three theological virtues mentioned in the opening lines
but a Christian reading of the rest of chapter one helps us to see that the
Trinity is addressed, God as Father and Creator, the Son as Redeemer, and
the Holy Spirit as the inspiration of Paul's writing and also as the
sanctifier for all believers in Jesus Christ. The Trinity and the virtues
are to be seen in relationship and they are called theological virtues in
later terminology for they relate us to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We
thus are off to a good start in reading this first of the New Testament
writings chronologically speaking. It is an authentic writing from the
Apostle Paul now meant for all Christian churches and those who read it
with faith, hope, and love.

In further reflection we see that it involves us in the plan of God or
"salvation history." There is such a plan even though we do not always
perceive it and think of history as only a human endeavor being lived out
by all rational beings whether in the past, present, or future. Paul's
use of the threefold symbolism is indicative a number that represents all
of creation. This is seen also in the last book of the New Testament, that
of Revelation. We are able to understand Paul's introduction in a modern
interpretation of we take up the first paragraphs of section 39 in the
Vatican II document on "The Church in the World" (Gaudium et Spes). This
would be an excellent section to read this particular day and would help us
to understand both the Church and St. Paul on the meaning of a "new earth"
and salvation history.

Jesus is not so comforting as we hear him railing against the leaders and
the scribes of religion. Their self-righteousness, their blindness and
obduracy block them from understanding God's revelation in the Torah. They
close doors and shut off the poor and the marginal, whereas, Jesus and Paul
open doors for everyone who is open to their message. In both readings
there is the human and the divine; sometimes in harmony with each other; at
other times, in tension. Finally religious thinking is supposed to be
about unity and peace among all peoples but often it is the opposite. In
accepting Moses, Paul, and Jesus we have some excellent religious teaching
and a path toward unity, love, and peace. May we realize that every human
person is an image of God and a likeness of God. Amen.