All Life as a Blessing

 HOMILY, ST. PAUL’S, FOLEY – 3 ADVENT, YEAR B

DECEMBER 13, 2020 

 

TEXT:                        1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

 

 

            The first lesson today, from Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians, is likely from the earliest text in the New Testament – earlier than the gospels and the other books of the Christian scriptures.

 

            This is probably Paul’s first letter that we have today.  It is believed to have been written in Corinth, some 100 miles south, in the early sixth decade, anno domini.  This is in the earliest Christian years – before the fires of the gospel had spread to many nations. Paul had planted the young church there himself, and he felt a tender love for that group of largely Gentile Christians.

 

            But Paul knew the cost of discipleship – and he knew the price the early believers were paying. The new Christians in Thessalonica had been integral parts of the pagan community there.  They had known the privileges associated with status.  They had earlier embraced the standards and values of that pagan culture. Now, they faced immense social pressures and even persecution.

 

            They were not in Kansas any more.  It was hard.

 

+ + + 

 

            Some years ago I would travel to Grand Coteau, Louisiana, and the Jesuit Spirituality Center for an annual silent retreat.  It was a time of introspection, prayer, and insight.

 

            Each retreatant was assigned a spiritual director for the retreat period – either four, eight, or 30 days. One year, my assigned director was a wise, older sister named Sister Connie.

 

            We met one-hour each day.  That hour, and the daily Eucharist, were the only times we were to speak.  The conversations with the director were times of deep probing and emerging spiritual awakening.  That was especially true one day.

 

            Sister Connie said something which went against life, as far as I was concerned. “All life is a blessing,” she said. “Everything.”

 

            I pointed out to her the truth of poverty, tragedy, injustice, oppression, illness and death.  Basically, the human condition.  I must admit I felt somewhat out of place talking about such things to an older woman who had given up everything in life to pursue her sacred call.

 

            She stuck to her view: “All life is a blessing.” I resisted.

 

+ + +

 

            Now, here we are in 2020.  Need I say more?  I saw a time change meme on Facebook that said, “I’m not turning my watch back one hour if it is going to prolong this year at all.” Who would want more of pandemic, politics, economic upheaval, and storms?

 

            Now we have Paul saying to us – from the depths of the first Christian century: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

 

            I am humbled.  By the witness and humility of Sister Connie.  By the bravery and words of St. Paul.  

 

            I apparently do not understand the grace of God, or God’s movement in the world. I will not argue.  I will only try to accept.