Thess 3:7-13
Matth. 24:42-51
There is a note of urgency and attentiveness in today’s readings and our souls should examine themselves in the light of this text not just today but always. In our first reading, Paul speaks to the Christian community in Thessalonica, encouraging them to be conscious and persistent in the practice of their faith until he returns to them or when the Lord Jesus comes to them to heaven and in the gospel we see Jesus rebuking the people to be always ready because nobody knows when this life on earth will be over.
We need to pay attention and stay awake. We Christians have
received the word with joy and to proclaim it still. Over and over our feelings have been stirred and a lively impression has been made; but, let us remember, that to receive the word in the ear is one thing, and to receive Jesus into our very soul is quite another; superficial feeling is often joined to inward hardness of heart, and a lively impression of the word is not always a lasting one.
We cannot be Christians whenever it suits us but must always live out our Christianity so that whenever the Lord does call He will find us ready and blameless. Think about the quality of your daily living is God in your life right now? Who is Jesus using to reach you, to walk with you? Or, could it be that God is in you, acting through you, to reach out to another? Am I still waiting till I am old before I repent and turn to God? Remember that
God is with us all the time even in the hour which you do not expect.
Fr Joseph Osho
