Piety
On the subject of
fraternal charity, you have no need for anyone to write you, for you yourselves
have been taught by God to love one another. Indeed, you do this for all the
brothers throughout Macedonia. Nevertheless, we urge you, brothers and sisters,
to progress even more, and to aspire to live a tranquil life, to mind your own
affairs, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you. 1 Thessalonians 4:9-11
“For to everyone who
has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even
what he has will be taken away. And throw this useless servant into the
darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth." Matthew 25:29-30
Study
Today, Matthew does not serve up his version of the
prosperity Gospel. Even though the three
servants are dealing with the gold from the master’s treasury, God does not
transact in gold talents. The mater
rewards the servants who UNDERSTAND what he asks them to do. Thus, God gives further understanding to one
who accepts the revealed mystery; from the one who does not, he will take it
away (note the “theological passive,” more will be given, what he has will be
taken away).
Jesus speaks in parables so that the crowds may not
understand (Mk 4:12). God wants us to
understand. He repeats the lessons
throughout the Hebrew Bible and then into the four Gospels and the
Epistles. God wants us to try to
understand and tries repeatedly to help us hear his message and put it into
practice. (Matthew and Mark use the
identical story – what gets repeated is IMPORTANT!)
As St. Paul later addresses the people in Thessalonica, he
reminds them very subtly of the message of charity to one another. He urges them
to a deeper understanding and more complete fulfillment of the commandment.
However, while Paul says there is no need to write about
loving each other, he proceeds to do just that.
“On the subject of fraternal charity, you have no need for anyone to
write you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.” The
reminders keep on coming. But the practice is long in perfecting.
Action
How can you renew your commitment to charity every day,
every week, every month?
What can you do to weave helping others in your family, your
neighborhood, and your community into your affairs?
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