In today’s first reading we continue with Paul’s First Letter to the Christian Community in the Greek city of Thessalonica. This is probably the first letter that Paul wrote and indeed the earliest written document in the New Testament. This letter was written in the early 50’s whereas the Gospels were written in the 70’s (Mark), 80’s (Matthew and Luke) and the 90’s (John). As Paul comes to the end of the Body of his letter his offers a prayer of Thanksgiving and petition.
He gives thanks for this Christian community itself: “What thanksgiving, then, can we render to God for you, for all the joy we feel on your account before our God?” His petition or prayer is twofold. First, he prays that he may have the opportunity to visit them again: “Now may God himself, our Father, and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you…” Secondly, he prays that God will guide them to grow in their Christian life:
“may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all…so as to strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. Amen.”
Today we join with Paul in giving thanks to God for our Christian community here at St. Francis of Assisi Parish. We pray for our faith community here that we may continue to grow in love that the “Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all.” This is our identity as disciples and followers of Jesus, and this is what we are called to be.
Paul invites us to see ourselves and our Christian community in this Christian community at Thessalonica. We are called to recognize that God is with us as we try each day to follow that path of Jesus. May God continue to bless and guide our community.
Image: “Saint Paul” by Lawrence OP is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.