A Hopeful Resurrection, 1 Thessalonians 4.13-18

In chapter four of 1 Thessalonians, St. Paul helps the believers at Thessalonica to understand that the resurrection is for all who have believed in Jesus, whether they are physically alive at his return or not. The resurrection is the hope that we as believers have and there is comfort that no matter how life turns out on this earth, there is new creation to come.

Image: The Parable of the Ten Virginas, Phoebe Anna Traquair, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Boldly Trusting, 1 Thessalonians 2.1-8

St. Paul reminds the Thessalonians of his coming into Thessalonica, having been poorly treated in Philippi. Yet, even in that poor treatment, he was undeterred in proclaiming the Gospel. Where did this boldness come from? Why was St. Paul not shy to preach despite knowing it would mean mistreatment eventually? Father Jeremiah looks at these questions and helps us to see that St. Paul was fully focused on the work of Christ and trusting in him boldly, that he might boldly step out in trust.

Image: Nheyob, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons. Stainless window of St. Paul preaching at the Areopagus.

From Idolatry to the True God, 1 Thessalonians 1

Thessalonica was a city full of idolatry. It was a leading city in the Roman Empire, after all. The Gentiles who turned to Jesus were ones who were brought out of idol worship to the true and living God. What can we learn today from them and St. Paul’s words about salvation through Jesus? How does idolatry infect each and everyone of us, even though we don’t have little statues of gods that we worship? Father Jeremiah considers these things as he begins in 1 Thessalonians.