Sunday, August 24, 2014

8/25/2014 – Monday of 21st week in Ordinary Time - 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 11-12

      Today, in the very beginning of Paul’s second letter to the Church at Thessalonika in northern Greece, we hear Paul admiring the way this community of faith has stood firm and steadfast in the face of persecution and affliction. This reminded me of the news I heard last week about Pope Francis announcing that the case of Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador, who was gunned down while saying mass and who was an outspoken critic of the governmental oppression in that country, would be sent on the path for beatification.  Romero became Archbishop of San Salvador in the midst of a very difficult period in that country’s history.  He became a voice of peace and justice, and in fact a leading European magazine named Romero one of the champions of world democracy.  Romero stood fast against the adversity and struggles that he faced, becoming an example of faith for many in the world today.  As we listen to today’s first reading from Paul, we might ask ourselves: Can we see that the trails and setbacks of life are ways in which the depth of our faith is tested, calling us to a deeper response to love and service?  It gives us a lot to think about, doesn’t it?

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