Today’s reading from Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians talks about joy, thanksgiving, and relationship. Paul states that he and Silas render thanksgiving to God for the joy they feel for them before God. I am always struck by the joy that Paul expresses in his letters, a joy that is firmly rooted in his faith, not in the pleasures and accomplishments of the world. Not only does the letter talk about the relationship that Paul and Silas have with the Thessalonians, but the relationship they all have with God. Relationship is so important on our journey of faith. Those of us in ministry need to always keep that in mind. We know from the body of this letter that it was not always a smooth journey for the Thessalonians, that they had left their worship of pagan idols for the Way of Jesus, that their relationship with the broader community that had not converted was difficult and tense because of their newly found faith. Yes, we are to take comfort, joy, and encouragement in the love we receive from God in the difficulties and struggles we have in life. In our own reality, let us take Paul’s message to heart today.
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