God's word transforms and makes holy

November 3, 2002 -- 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

	Fr. Richard Ver Bust

Paul's letters often tell us something about his life as an apostle. While the Acts of the Apostles present a picture of the missionary journeys of Paul, his letters are considered more of a factual account. So we can look to this letter to the Thessalonians for some information since it is considered an authentic Pauline letter.

In the verses prior to our reading for today Paul, in an autobiographical way, tells us of how he came to Thessalonica. He recounts how he effectively evangelized the people there. He points to how the proclamation of the gospel changed their faith. He reminds them of how he had suffered both physically and psychologically on his visit to Philippi which preceded his work in Thessalonica. In spite of this he was still willing to preach the good news to them.

Paul feels it necessary to remind them that his preaching was not for wrong motives but because God had called him to do this. He had the courage, encouraged by the Spirit, to challenge them. This was the same courage, which God had given to the prophets of the Old Testament. His message didn't try to please people, but sought the pleasure of God.

This is where our reading begins. Paul reminds his readers that although as an apostle he could have expected financial support from the community, he had not done so. Instead he and his companions worked to support themselves by plying their trades. In Judaism, rabbis were expected to know a trade. From sources we know that Paul worked in a leather shop. He probably did so in Thessalonica and thereby supported himself. He wanted to preach the Gospel without asking anything in return.

Paul used the metaphor of a nursing mother to describe his affection for the members of the church community. That kind of love is the type of love with which he held all of them in mind and action. They were all like infants for they were all new in the faith. Therefore, the apostles cared and sheltered the converts to enable their faith to grow.

In verses that are omitted from our reading, Paul also used the metaphor of a father. If a mother nourished her child, then it was the duty of the father to instruct his child. The father also has the role of encouraging and comforting. That is what Paul saw himself as doing when he lived in this church community. He continually urged them as converts to live the life expected as a follower of Jesus. In a rare instance, Paul uses the term or word, kingdom, to describe the fact that God has called them to share in the kingdom. While the Synoptic Gospels use this word often, especially in the parables, Paul does not. But like the Synoptics, Paul, in his use of the words kingdom and glory, is referring to God's eschatological reign. We do the same in the Lord's prayer when we say, "Thy kingdom come."

Paul finally recalls the words of his earlier thanksgiving. He points out how these converts had received the word of God through the preaching of the apostles. They had accepted the message not just as human wisdom but as a real message from God. The power of God's word had transformed them and made them holy. Paul believed that is how God worked. The power of God's word was something that Paul would continuously emphasize as the real reason people came to believe.

(Fr. Ver Bust holds the title of professor emeritus in religious studies at St. Norbert College, De Pere.)