Standing firm as ever

 

Laxity degrades and corrupt Human nature.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Thursday of 21st Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, August 31st, 2023
Texts: 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13; Psalm 90:3-4,12-14,17; Matthew 24:42-51 

Jesus Christ reminds us today that heavenly race is not a day job but standing firm as ever. He puts it thus: “Watch for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.” We have to stand firm as ever because we do not know the time. There is no time out until the day comes. Why does God not tell us the time? There is no direct answer to the question. However, it is clear that He wants us to stand firm as ever.  

Standing firm as ever makes a nature out of us, for habit makes a nature.  Standing firm as ever, each day reinforces, renews and transforms us. Hence, in the first reading, St. Paul prays, “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all men, as we do to you, so that he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.” 

Laxity degrades and corrupt Human nature

God wants us to stand as ever to show that laxity is not good. Laxity degrades and corrupt Human nature. It does not enhance human growth and development. Laxity promotes things of the flesh and irresponsible ways of life. Jesus says, “But if that wicked servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed, and begins to beat his fellow servants, and eats and drinks with the drunken, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will punish him”. Laxity later attracts punishment; it is not the right way for us. 

Standing firm as ever is a mark of worthiness for the greater tasks of heaven. Hence, Jesus says Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes will find so doing. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.”  

We need to help one another to stand firm as ever

The people of Thessalonica comforted St. Paul in his affliction by their faith. They were source of joy and encouragement for him to continue standing firm as ever in preaching the gospel. St. Paul in turn continued to help the people standing firm as ever by strengthening their faith. We read, “For what thanksgiving can we render to God for you, for all the joy which we feel for your sake before our God, praying earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?” 

Prayer  

Almighty God, help us to stand firm as ever in our faith; grant that may our minds grasp the comfort and encouragement you have given us; move us to help one another stand firm as ever. Amen 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke