May the Lord give you peace and health in the Holy Spirit.
It is 23rd August 2021.
We reflect on Thessalonians 1:1-5, 8-10 and the Gospel from Matthew 13:13-22.
Faith is sustained by hope and charity.
Faith gets deepened by merciful and charitable actions. “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” (James 2:26).
Thessalonians were able to receive the message and began experimenting and applying them on their living. Returning from a past life and embracing Christ-centered life is the beginning of our conversion. St. Paul applauds Thessalonians for their genuineness and generosity to respond to the Word of God and to walk in the light of Christ. He appreciates three signs of conversion in the lift of Thessalonians. A complete U-turn from idols and its worship led them to serve God honestly and with hope awaiting the return of the Lord.
Gratitude and thanksgiving are expressed consistently committed life like that of St. Paul.
Jesus strongly points out that we must not become obstacles to someone who wants to come closer to God. At times, we make so many laws, policies, rules, and regulations to regulate things to be orderly. But most often, either we do not follow them, or we wish to exempt ourselves from them or we stress and stretch to a level we do not care about others.
We all have been given this privilege of knowing and loving Christ so as to make others to experience. Let us move away from being a believer in name and fame to become an example of faith.
May the Lord grant us a heart to appreciate the others and encourage them to come closer to Christ all the more. God bless you.