A Very Old Letter

Tuesday of Week 21 in Ordinary Time

Saint Louis of Saint Joseph of Calasanz, Priest

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

Rather we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother cares for her children.

Psalm 139

Matthew 23:23-26

Woe to you…you have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgement and mercy and fidelity.

Every time Paul's letter to the Thessalonians comes up in the lectionary I experience a certain awe that  it survived 2,000 years.  An occasional letter from Paul to the Church in Thessalonica not only survived but is revered and read at worship today.  What would Paul think?

His text seems particularly weighty for those interested in preaching the gospel.  By Paul's account he just doesn't have time to worry about hurting people's feelings.  He's not in the business of flattery and he's not going to tell people what they want to hear.  Neither will he burden the people with demands for a large stipend.  No.  He's gentle and caring like a nursing mother.  This implies doing what is ultimately good for growing into all God has intended.

And in the end, he expresses his gratitude for the people and their steadfast faith.  And it is beautifully put:

Rather, we were gentle among you, 

as a nursing mother cares for her children.

With such affection for you,

we were determined to share with you 
not only the Gospel of God,

but our very selves as well, 

so dearly beloved had you become to us.

A prayer for all preachers and ministers

that they experience such communion among the people of God

(…and enough Thessalonicas to balance the Philippis;)