4th Sunday after the Holy Cross
12 October 2008
« Life is vigilance and commitment »
(1 Thessalonians 5/1-11 Matthew 24/45-51)
Introduction
The talk of Paul about the sudden arrival of Christ is a proof that the Christian community in Salonika was living in hope of the imminent return of Jesus. That is why we find in Paul’s first letter a new kind of teaching the story of Christ. It is based on the hope of his return. The true Christian is the one who is waiting the day of the return of the lord. The Christian has to be ready for that day, the judgment day.
The explanation of the letter connecting it to the article in the gospel:
The day of the return of the Christ necessitate the wait:
St. Paul confirms that the return of the lord is eminent; but the date not yet known it is coming when least expected, like the thief at night. The lord arrives in Glory at the end of the day to judge the dead and alive. Since he came a savior the first time, he will come a judge the second time. He "acquired" this right by his cross. And god gave him all authority. He came in the first time to save and enlighten, not to judge. But in the second arrival, the arrival in glory, he is going to punish those who refused his grace and love. (Cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church n 679)
Since God is coming we have to stay the nights late waiting for him. The Christians are the children of light, the light of faith. The light of god that never goes off. True Christians have to seek god every day. This seeking is compared to weapon by Saint Paul the weapon of faith and love. We wait for him for our deliverance.
The wait is a community work; we have to encourage each other to preserve and wait patiently. he changed with his words the darkness to light, can give us the light of faith, so that we find him.
Waiting is a commitment:
We wait the lord every day of our life. We have to deliver the message to each other; the food of love, enlightening our souls with the truth. We are the messengers who have to be faithful and carry his word to the end. Wisdom is a gift from the Holy Spirit given to man, to fear God and work according to his will, the messenger who eats and celebrates with the drunk will be punished for the betrayal of his trust.
Let us pray:
God our lord, you have honored us by delivering the word of God: love and grace. We pray for our administrators to have wisdom and honesty. To distribute your gifts, the material and spiritual. Enlighten us that life is based on the wait for you lord, send us the light of the holy spirit, teach us that your service is a daily commitment and that you are going to return to judge us the end of days. Give us your blessings lord. We glorify and thank the father, the son, and the Holy Spirit now and forever - Amen
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