Aug/ 24, Lectionary # 427

Scripture: Lectionary # 427: I Thess. 2:9-13 Psalm 139:7-8.9-10.11-12.
Matthew 23:27-32:

Paul tells us the apostolic endeavors and preachings that he accomplished
among the Church of Thessalonica. They are valuable for us as we continue
to read the first letter written in the New Testament some twenty-five to
thirty years after the death of Jesus. The contents of the apostolic
kerygma are present in this foundational document. The essentials of the
Gospel are given to us as we listen and read carefully this epistle.
Preaching the Good News must continue; it is the equivalent of the mission
given to each of us in the Church,namely, evangelization. We also are
informed of Paul's teaching to them (the didache). He leads them and us to
holiness which is a call to each Christian.

As we continue to listen to the "woes" in Matthew's Gospel, we turn to the
opposite of them in what is suggested in the text. Behind each woe there
is the positive blessings of the Gospel that those who believe are to
practice. We are not to be hypocritical or arrogant about our religion.
We are not to be whited-sepulchres that shine brightly in the sun but are
filled with dead bones inside. Instead, the living Spirit of God is within
us and our eyes and external appearance are to show forth the glory of God
within us. The Thessalonians responded to the Good News and offset the
woes that we hear from Jesus. They became holy and were simple like
children in the embracing of the faith that Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy
brought to them for the first time. They were worthy of God who called
them to his kingdom now present among them in Paul's preaching of the Lord
Jesus Christ crucified and glorified. Salvation is now. Eschatology is
"realized" and they enjoy the presence of the Holy Spirit within them. The
kingdom of God is within them.

In the sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist we too receive what they
received. We hear not human words from Paul and Jesus but as they truly
are the words of God at work within us who believe. We are familiar that
Paul will come back to the importance of the apostolic preaching that was
done then and is to continue always. He will take this up at greater
length and depth in the Epistle to the Romans in chapter ten. There we
learn of the great importance of the apostles who brought Good News to the
nations. They did this with boldness and joy. The founder of the Marianist
Congregation, Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, based his "faith of the
heart" on this great passage of Paul and passed it on to all branches of
the Marianist Family which is the "Family of Mary."

" The message is close at hand, it is on thy lips, it is in thy heart;
meaning by that the message of faith, which we preach. Thou canst find
salvation, if thou wilt use thy lips to confess that Jesus is the Lord,
and thy heart to believe that God has raised him up from the dead. The
heart has to only believe, if we are to be justified; the lips have only to
make confession, if we are to be saved. That is what the Scripture says,
Anyone who believes in him will not be disappointed.
Only, how are they to call upon him until they have learned to believe in
him? And how can they listen without a preacher to listen to? And how can
there be preachers, unless preachers be sent on their errand? So we read
in Scripture, How welcome is the coming of those who tell of peace, who
tell of Good News....(See how faith comes from hearing; and hearing through
Christ's word." ( Translation of Monsignor Ronald Knox).

Lord, open our lips and our mouths and hearts will sing your praise. Give
us listening hearts so that your word may touch our lives and the lives of
those we live with. Amen.