Tuesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
We have some very avid gardeners in the monastery. They love to get their hands dirty with digging, planting, weeding, and then nurturing with plenty of TLC. Those tomato plants get extra help when a wire cage is put around each one to hold it upright.
Is St. Paul speaking as a tomato grower in the first reading for today’s liturgy? The Letter to the Thessalonians was meant to “prop up” the newly baptized Christians as the storms of persecution and controversy blew against them. They also had to face conspiracy theories that the end of the world was very near.
Paul is telling the early Christians that they must remain deeply rooted in the teaching of Jesus the Christ. This comes from the authorized teachers of the Gospel, especially Paul the Apostle who loves them so much. They can trust and lean on the support of the whole Christian community which is energized by the Spirit of the Risen Lord in their midst.
The beautiful hope of the first reading implies fresh enthusiasm. It’s coming from those committed to responding to God with a whole heart, with an integrity that is genuine. Jesus saves his harshest criticism for those who damage or misdirect others, especially the young, by projecting false integrity. Jesus rejects their unbalanced life which neglected the central values of mercy, humility, and justice for the poor while stressing their private priorities and personal interests.
Integrity is matching our words and actions to the truth of our hearts. Just as a tomato plant takes time and support to produce wholesome produce, so also, we must learn to wait and grow straight and strong from our very core with God’s help if we hope to make a difference in our world today.
Reflection by Fr. Daniel Petsche, OSB
Posted in Articles for Lent, Daily Reflections, Lenten Resources