2 Thes 2: 1-3a, 14-17
As to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we beg you, brothers and sisters, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as though from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here.
Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one destined for destruction. For this purpose he called you through our proclamation of the good news, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter.
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
When Jesus Comes May He Find Us Doing Our Christian Duty
Today Paul writes to the persecuted Thessalonians, to calm those who were anxious, and rev up those who had gotten lazy. Some Thessalonians worried that the “Day of the Lord” had already come and gone. They were nervous that Jesus had forgotten them and fell prey to false prophets who exploited those fears.
Other Thessalonians thought Jesus’ return was imminent, so they stopped working. Why go to work if the world is about to end?
We 21st-century disciples also know anxiety, have fallen prey to exploiters, and are tempted to idleness. Yet, as Jesus reminds us later in Matthew, “Blessed is the one whom his master finds at work when he arrives.” In other words, we Christians have a job to do while we wait. Our duty is not to busy or make ourselves anxious with small matters but rather to tend to the “weightier things of the law” – being servants of justice, mercy, and fidelity.
—Christopher Alt, SJ, is a Jesuit scholastic of the Midwest Province. He is a psychotherapist now studying theology at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University.
Prayer
Lord, when we are anxious and confused, provide comfort and reassurance.
When we are idle and lazy, provide inspiration and energizing encouragement.
While we wait, ready our bodies, hearts, and minds to receive you.
As we tend to our Christian duties, do not delay.
Come, Lord, Jesus! Amen.
Come, Lord, Jesus! Amen.
—Christopher Alt, SJ