We also
constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God
that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it
really is, God’s word, which is also at work in you believers. For you,
brothers and sisters, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus
that are in Judea, for you suffered the same things from your own compatriots
as they did from the Jews, who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and
drove us out; they displease God and oppose everyone by hindering us from
speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. Thus they have constantly
been filling up the measure of their sins; but God’s wrath has overtaken them
at last.
As for
us, brothers and sisters, when, for a short time, we were made orphans by being
separated from you—in person, not in heart—we longed with great eagerness to
see you face to face. For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, wanted to
again and again—but Satan blocked our way. For what is our hope or joy or crown
of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? Yes, you are
our glory and joy! (1 Thes. 2:13-20).
Here is a little background to
the letter: when Paul parted from
Barnabas at the beginning of what is called his second missionary journey, he
chose Silvanus (Silas) as his traveling companion. Soon afterwards he took
Timothy along with him. Paul was now clearly at the head of his own missionary
band. About 50 A.D., he arrived in Greece for the first time. In making
converts in Philippi and, soon afterwards, in Thessalonica, Paul was persecuted
by Jews and Gentiles alike. Moving on to Beroea, he was again harassed by
enemies from Thessalonica and hurriedly left for Athens. Silvanus and Timothy
remained behind for a while. Paul soon sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to
strengthen that community in its trials. Timothy and Silvanus finally returned
to Paul when he reached Corinth, probably in the early summer of 51 A.D.
Timothy’s return with a report on conditions at Thessalonica served as the
occasion for Paul's first letter.
In today’s selection, Paul
gives thanks for the Christian community in Thessalonica which received the
Good News of Jesus not as a human invention, but as God’s loving work in the
world to bring all people to the Father through the working of the Holy Spirit. However, being a Christian is not easy. Just as Paul was persecuted, so too were the
Christians in Thessalonica, but Paul tells them that they are in good company. The same happened in the Church in Judea, and
even to Jesus himself.
Let us pray: O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd
of your people; Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us
each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit,
lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
TREE PLANTING THIS SATURDAY AT
9 A.M.
ART CLASS WITH LEE RUNION:
Friday, 11 May and Saturday, 12 May. The
class will be making stepping stones.
PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR
PRAYER LIST, especially all of those who are ill and those who care for them.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo
Episcopal ChurchGalveston, Texas 77550
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