Lectionary 425: Openings in Scripture

425-16

Lectionary: 425. Scripture:  August 22.  II Thessalonians 1:1-5, 11-12.  Psalm 96:1-2,3-4, 4-5.  Matthew 23:13-22:

I value the opening lines and first chapters of every book of the Bible.  They gave us an insight into the person who is writing an inspired work under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and working with the Spirit through their own literary talents and limitations!  Their message is that of the Spirit written in human words coming from distinct authors who have unique personalities and a definite purpose in writing their guided messages or proclamations.  These early chapters open up a preview of the rest of the work and often give us the key to a good interpretation of the rest of their thoughts and purpose.  It is good to collect all the information we can from these opening words of a specific writer or a group of writers.

Today we open a new epistle as our first reading in the Liturgy of the Word.  The work definitely comes from the Pauline school of pastoral theological import.  Today we learn that Paul himself, Silvanus, and Timothy are involved in the message of II Thessalonians.  We are now in the realm of Paul’s great concern for the people who are in the early communities of churches dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ, the favored title for Jesus in this epistle attributed to Paul.  These letters have a basic formula for writing in their first chapter.  There is definite  intended church or audience, a thanksgiving, and also a hint at what the theme of the writing will be.

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy are thanking the Thessalonians for their firmness in their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Once they establish the confidence of their readers they will address the concerns and problems of this specific Church of the Thessalonians in Greece. Thessalonica is located on the banks of the Aegean Sea and the Egnatia Way or highway built by the Romans that crosses over into Asia all the way from Rome to Byzantium, today’s Istanbul.  There is a close relationship in the vocabulary and style in both letters, I Thessalonians and II Thessalonians.  Scholars state that I Thessalonians was the first writing of the New Testament done in 51 A.D. and it probably indicates that II Thessalonians is written in the early fifties of the Christian era.

I Thessalonians informs us that Paul writes of the Second Coming of Christ as quite close or imminent; II Thessalonians says there are to be trials and persecution before the coming of the Lord.  Both epistles however are strongly eschatological or looking toward the end time.  Chapter 2 of II Thessalonians will show that many events have to happen before the coming of the Lord (the Parousia or Second Coming).

Psalm 96 is our Responsorial Psalm and the following verse three is used as the repetitive prayer: “Proclaim his marvelous works to all the nations.”  This Psalm is a jubilant enthronement Psalm for God as King of Israel.  It has a certain newness and creativeness to it as a universal invitation to all peoples to come to worship and believe in God.  It calls us as Christians to praise God for all peoples who are responding to the Good News of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.  This is a universal call to holiness seen in works of justice, mercy, and love.

Even though Jesus is speaking harshly about those who are learned and are leaders, they must not be power mongers who inflict others with their might and knowledge.  Those who are true leaders are to practice what they preach and who speak the truth with love and mercy.  Jesus is pointing out those who misuse their power and who flaunt their titles at the expense of the poor and the marginal.  His call to us is to be creative stewards of justice, peace, equality, and generosity.  Let those who have ears hear his message with a listening heart.  Amen. Alleluia.