Reading 1
1 Thes 5:1-6, 9-11
Concerning times and seasons, brothers and sisters,
you have no need for anything to be written to you.
For you yourselves know very well
that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night.
When people are saying, "Peace and security,"
then sudden disaster comes upon them,
like labor pains upon a pregnant woman,
and they will not escape.
But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness,
for that day to overtake you like a thief.
For all of you are children of the light
and children of the day.
We are not of the night or of darkness.
Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do,
but let us stay alert and sober.
For God did not destine us for wrath,
but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep
we may live together with him.
Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up,
as indeed you do.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14R. (13)
I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life's refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
Gospel
Lk 4:31-37
Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee.
He taught them on the sabbath,
and they were astonished at his teaching
because he spoke with authority.
In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon,
and he cried out in a loud voice,
"What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth"
Have you come to destroy us?
I know who you are"the Holy One of God!"
Jesus rebuked him and said, "Be quiet! Come out of him!"
Then the demon threw the man down in front of them
and came out of him without doing him any harm.
They were all amazed and said to one another,
"What is there about his word?
For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits,
and they come out."
And news of him spread everywhere in the surrounding region.
Meditation: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, 9-11
All of you are children of the light and children of the day.” (1 Thessalonians 5:5)
Isn’t that amazing? You were once in darkness, but now you have been brought into the light of Christ. And because of this, you are uniquely qualified to declare his praises to the world (1 Peter 2:9). You have every reason to be a minister of Jesus’ love and mercy. In a world that has grown jaded, positive and encouraging people are exceptional—and deeply needed!
So go ahead and encourage one another. Build one another up (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Talk about what God is doing in your life. Comment on the good things you see him doing in someone else’s life. Be positive, supportive, and appreciative. Look for ways to strengthen someone who seems weary, to embolden someone who is timid or fearful, or to empower someone who seems weak. If you don’t think you see anything worth talking about, ask the Holy Spirit to show you where he is at work, and keep your eyes open.
Even when you think that what you see is a fault, ask God to help you see what he sees. Ask him to help you to love as he loves. God is always at work in every person’s life. You just have to get used to looking for it so that you can offer words of encouragement. Make it a point to acknowledge what you see God doing. Compliment and affirm his goodness as you see it in the people around you. Find ways to share your knowledge of God with them so that they can see God’s hand in their lives as well.
And while you’re at it, don’t restrict yourself only to “godly” topics. Complimenting someone on a natural level—their looks, talents, kindness, hopes, and dreams—can be just as heartening and stimulating. It may also open the door for further and deeper conversations. Over time, you will find more and more opportunities to talk about God’s life and goodness, and you will find people more accepting.
God has made you a child of the light. Will you let that light shine?
“Holy Spirit, give me words of affirmation today that I can use to encourage my loved ones. Show me how I can bring your light into this world of shadows.”
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