Dynamic Discipleship - Reflection for Evening Prayer - Monday of the 26th Week of Ordinary Time (1 Thessalonians 2:11-13)

Our reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians, along with a couple of the verses prior to those cited in the reading, in a way encapsulate our missions as baptized disciples.  The words of Saint Paul represent a challenge we are called to meet in our daily lives.

Through the ministry of Paul and Silas, the Thessalonians were moved to turn from their idols.  They were moved to truly worship and serve the living and true God.  Our lives as baptized Christians ideally have a lot of similarities to that of Paul and Silas.  We are called to engage a world that is full of idols and other distractions that often prevent true worship.  Idols and distractions that often act as a sort of spiritual contraception in the blossoming of spiritual fruit in our lives and in the lives of those we are called to serve.

Let's strive to embrace our mission as Christians similar to how Paul and Silas embraced them, and look to Paul and Silas for encouragement and hope from their experiences.  

Paul and Silas preached for free and worked professional jobs to pay their expenses.  Similarly, most of us do not have paid positions within the Church.  We work our secular jobs to pay our expenses, support our families, and support the Church. Let us always strive to be an active part of the world, influencing it with the values of Christ, but never fall for the ways of the world.

Paul and Silas practiced what they preached.  They led by example with conduct that was upright, just, and irreproachable.  Similarly, we are called to lead by the same example.  Let us always strive to be a visible example of what it means to truly love, worship, and serve the Lord.

Paul and Silas related to the Thessalonians as a father relates to their children.  Similarly, let's strive to be a source of spiritual nourishment to those God puts in our lives…guiding and teaching them in matters of faith, morals, and spirituality as a father may guide and teach their children.  Let's strive to always be loving and accepting of others where they are, but at the same time always encouraging them to be more than they are.  Let's strive to always present objective truth with respect and condor.

Remember always the words of Saint Catherine of Siena, "If you are what you were meant to be, you will set the world on fire."

If we can follow the example of Paul and Silas with self-sacrifice, holiness, and a sense of community, we can truly be an instrument of the Holy Spirit to move hearts, facilitate conversions, and renew the Church.  We will set the world on fire.