From
today's readings: "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.... Proclaim God's
marvelous deeds to all the nations.... Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you
hypocrites!"
After months of daily first readings taken from
the prophets, it probably seems like a breath of fresh air as we return to the
New Testament, this time with the second letter of Paul to the Thessalonians
(at this time last year, the lectionary was highlighting the first letter to
the Thessalonians).
As is often the case, Paul writes to give
encouragement in time of tribulation, praising the Thessalonians because of
"your endurance and faith in all your persecutions and the afflictions you
endure."
This short letter can easily be read in its
entirety in just a few minutes - why not do that now?