Monday 25 August 2025 - Love and steadfastness

Monday 25 August 2025

Today is Monday the 25th of August, in the 21st week of Ordinary Time. It is the Spirit of love who gives life. God is the source of all life, the one in whom we live and move and have our being. As I look around me now, the “Spirit of love” may not be easy to see, but, if I try, can I sense God’s presence? Can I sense God’s Holy Spirit here? (Lyrics currently unavailable) Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians. 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5,8b-10 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of people we proved to be among you for your sake. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place where your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming. A number of this week’s readings come from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Thessalonica. We can have insight into the relationship between Paul and the church there. In these opening words, Paul gives the Thessalonians a good report. What positives stand out for you? Perhaps their faith, their hope, their love, their welcoming attitude. Notice, crucially, Paul’s conviction that the power of God’s spirit was at work. You might be involved in a church that displays similar strengths. How do you contribute to that? Listen to the passage again. Consider the relationship between Paul and this early church. Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians. 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5,8b-10 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of people we proved to be among you for your sake. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place where your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming. If Paul, or Jesus Himself, were to visit your church what might they find? Speak with the Lord about your church and your role in it. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen