Good morning good people,
May the Lord give you peace and health in the Holy Spirit.
It is 25th August 2025. We celebrate the memorials of Saint Louis and Saint Joseph of Calasanz, Priest.
We reflect on 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 8-10 and the Gospel from Matthew 23:13-22.
St. Louis encourages us: “Have a tender love and pity for the poor and the unfortunate, and comfort them to the utmost of your power.”
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).
The Thessalonians were able to receive the message and began experimenting with it and applying it in their living. Returning from a past life and embracing a Christ-centered life is the beginning of our conversion.
St. Paul applauds the Thessalonians for their genuineness and generosity in responding to the Word of God and walking in the light of Christ. He appreciates three signs of conversion in the life of the Thessalonians:
- A complete U-turn from idols and their worship, leading them to serve God honestly.
- A hope-filled life, awaiting the return of the Lord.
- Gratitude and thanksgiving expressed through a consistently committed life, like that of St. Paul.
In the Gospel, Jesus strongly points out that we must not become obstacles to those who want to come closer to God. At times, we create so many laws, policies, rules, and regulations to keep things orderly. But often, we either do not follow them, or we seek to exempt ourselves from them, or we stretch them so far that we fail to care about others.
We have been given the great privilege of knowing and loving Christ so that we can help others experience Him. Let us move away from being believers in name and fame and instead become true examples of faith.
May the Lord grant us hearts that appreciate others and encourage them to come closer to Christ all the more.
God bless you.