Proper 26 / Pentecost 24 / Ordinary Time 31
Devotional
Water From the Rock
Lectionary Devotional for Cycle C
Object:
... because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of everyone of you for one another is increasing.
-- 2 Thessalonians 1:3b
This prayer describes the condition for which every pastor yearns. Too often, because of our intimate knowledge of the congregation, the pastor is acutely aware of the weak faith and factionalism of the congregation. Paul, who had seen his share of shallow faith and internal bickering, was able to say of this church that their faith and their love for one another was growing. This had become manifest in the face of persecution.
Sadly, the most difficult challenge for most churches is when they are prosperous and comfortable. It is when we have to suffer for our faith that we often discover its true depth. While Paul suggested that there would come a time of reckoning when those who are causing the congregation's suffering would be punished (1:5-10), in this verse Paul was marveling at the depth of faith and love that their persecution had revealed.
Because the church is the body of Christ, in the same way that Jesus was glorified through suffering, Paul prayed that Jesus would again be glorified in the suffering of his body, the church. As Jesus was tempted in the Garden of Gethsemane to deny his calling in order to avoid suffering, so the church will be tempted to do the same.
Therefore, Paul prayed that the Thessalonians' church would be worthy of God's call and fulfill "every good resolve and work of faith." It is our faith in God and love toward each other in the face of persecution that demonstrates the presence of God in our midst. When a pastor sees this in a congregation, he or she can only give thanks for the grace of God.
-- 2 Thessalonians 1:3b
This prayer describes the condition for which every pastor yearns. Too often, because of our intimate knowledge of the congregation, the pastor is acutely aware of the weak faith and factionalism of the congregation. Paul, who had seen his share of shallow faith and internal bickering, was able to say of this church that their faith and their love for one another was growing. This had become manifest in the face of persecution.
Sadly, the most difficult challenge for most churches is when they are prosperous and comfortable. It is when we have to suffer for our faith that we often discover its true depth. While Paul suggested that there would come a time of reckoning when those who are causing the congregation's suffering would be punished (1:5-10), in this verse Paul was marveling at the depth of faith and love that their persecution had revealed.
Because the church is the body of Christ, in the same way that Jesus was glorified through suffering, Paul prayed that Jesus would again be glorified in the suffering of his body, the church. As Jesus was tempted in the Garden of Gethsemane to deny his calling in order to avoid suffering, so the church will be tempted to do the same.
Therefore, Paul prayed that the Thessalonians' church would be worthy of God's call and fulfill "every good resolve and work of faith." It is our faith in God and love toward each other in the face of persecution that demonstrates the presence of God in our midst. When a pastor sees this in a congregation, he or she can only give thanks for the grace of God.
