GET READY The Letters of Paul to the Thessalonians are among his earliest writings, and are driven by his belief and the belief of the entire early Christian community that the return of Christ was imminent. Therefore, to devote time or attention to anything else was foolish. As time progressed, this fervor receded a bit.…
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THE TEMPLE AND WORSHIP In all of today’s readings, the temple is prominently mentioned. Ezekiel speaks of streams of living water flowing out from the temple, watering the desert, bringing life to all living things, offering fresh healing to God’s people. Paul reminds the Corinthians that their faith rests upon the firmest of foundations, Christ…
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LOOKING TO THE LAST DAY Today the Church remembers all who have walked the way of Christ and passed from this life. The readings all look to the last day, when we shall all rise from the dead and be reunited. The prophet Daniel announces words of warning and welfare. He cautions us against the…
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LOVE SHOWN IN ACTION Do you receive the word of God with joy as the Thessalonians did? Their faith showed in their actions. They became models for other believers. The first reading tells us to put our faith into action. This passage is part of a long list of ordinances God commanded the Israelites to…
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EVERYTHING BELONGS TO GOD The first reading from the prophet Isaiah concerns the Persian King Cyrus, called the Lord’s “anointed.” Cyrus deserves this title because he ended the Babylonian captivity of the Jews. However, Isaiah reminds us that it was God who gave Cyrus his power. He may be a great king, but “I am…
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