RBWords

     These words begin St. Paul's First Letter to the Thessalonians.  They are considered to be the first and oldest written words of the New Testament and are dated in the early 50's A.D., probably less than 20 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus.  By then, Paul was a veteran missionary since this letter dates from his second missionary journey after his conversion.  They reflect his concern for this community, one of the first he founded in Greece.  But, as with all the New Testament, those words are now directed to us to encourage us to persevere in our Christian vocation.

     Discipleship is indeed a "work of faith and labor of love and endurance."  Here at Texas Tech University and at many other universities in the USA, there are members of the FOCUS organization which trains and sends recent college graduates to work in campus ministry.  These young missionaries must raise their own living expenses and make a two-year commitment to this work.  They are an important part of the ministry here.  FOCUS is not the only organization doing this kind of missionary work.  One cannot help but be impressed at their courage and desire to share their faith.  It is this kind of enthusiasm that attracts others and inspires those of us who are veterans in ministry to keep on preaching.  As St. Paul says today, "For our Gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction."  

     Ultimately discipleship has its impact not by what one says or does (important as that is), but through WHO one is.  Does Christ shine through?  AMEN