Daily Readings - Thu Aug 31 2023
1 Thessalonians
7Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.8For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.9How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.11Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.12May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.13May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
Matthew
42"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.43But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.44So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.45"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?46It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.47I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.48But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,'49and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.50The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of.51He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we hear St. Paul expressing his deep joy and gratitude for the faith of the Thessalonians, despite their trials and tribulations. He reminds them that their perseverance in faith brings him consolation and strengthens his own resolve to pray for them. Paul longs to see them again to complete what may be lacking in their faith, and he asks God to increase their love for one another and for all people. This passage highlights Paul’s profound care for his spiritual children and his desire for their holiness and steadfastness in the Lord.
The Gospel reading from Matthew presents Jesus teaching His disciples about the importance of being vigilant and prepared for His return. Using the parable of the servants, Jesus emphasizes the need for faithfulness and responsibility. The faithful servant who carries out his duties diligently is blessed, while the one who becomes complacent and neglects his responsibilities will face judgment. Jesus warns that He will return at an unexpected hour, and we must be ready, living in such a way that we are found doing His will when He comes.
These readings remind us that our faith is not a passive reality but an active way of life. Just as Paul prayed for the Thessalonians to grow in holiness, we too are called to strive for sanctity in our daily lives. The Gospel urges us to remain vigilant and faithful, recognizing that our time on this earth is short and that we will be held accountable for how we live. Let us ask the Lord to help us remain steadfast in our commitment to Him, to grow in love for one another, and to be prepared to meet Him whenever He comes. May we live each day with purpose and integrity, knowing that our actions have eternal consequences.