Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: August 26, 2024

Date: Monday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text:  2 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 11-12

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the Church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters, as is fitting, because your faith flourishes ever more, and the love of every one of you for one another grows ever greater. Accordingly, we ourselves boast of you in the churches of God regarding your endurance and faith in all your persecutions and the afflictions you endure. This is evidence of the just judgment of God, so that you may be considered worthy of the Kingdom of God for which you are suffering. We always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith, that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The first reading is from Paul’s 2nd Letter to the Thessalonians. Paul writes to the faithful of Thessalonia whom he, Silvanus and Timothy evangelized. He acknowledges their faithfulness in the face of persecutions and harassment and prays that their love for the LORD only grows greater and that their behavior glorifies the LORD as they follow Christ in faith, hope and love.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Would I be able to withstand persecution and harassment for my faith in Christ?

Praying:

LORD, Jesus Christ, You came to us from the Father Almighty to reveal the Father’s love for us and desire for our salvation and life in abundance. Through your selfless sacrifice upon the cross of Calvary, your atoned for our sins though You yourself were sinless. Through your resurrection, your defeated death. We follow You in faith, hope and love. Grace us through the power of your Spirit so that we might stand steadfast in our faith and be anchored in our hope. Stir within us your transformative love so that we might speak and act as witnesses to You and your love for us. Amen.