Word to the Wise
Wednesday, August 27, 2025 - Wednesday in the 21th Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Thess 2:9-13 and Matt 23:27-32]As you know, we treated each one of you as a father treats his children, exhorting and encouraging you and insisting that you walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into his Kingdom and glory. And for this reason we too give thanks to God unceasingly, that, in receiving the word of God from us, you received it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is now at work in you who believe. [1 Thessalonians]
AUGUST 27 ST. MONICA [mother of St. Augustine]
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Although St. Paul's words speak to the efforts that he and Timothy and Silvanus made to preach the word of God to those who came to belief because of their preaching, I found them echoing in my own experience as both preacher and campus minister. I'm sure pastors and other missionaries would find this to echo their experience as well. The work doesn't end with the baptism of a new believer or that of a "cradle Catholic." Exhortation and encouragement is a continual and daily task of ministry. Teaching the truth as contained in sound doctrine is part of it. St. Paul was constantly correcting false claims by certain "missionaries" that Jewish identity (and circumcision) was required for Christian identity. The Thessalonians lived in a culture that was polytheistic, with all kinds of religious claims on their faith.
My own experience as a college student at a resolutely secular campus, as well as my experience as a campus minister for more than 35 years, has taught me that gentle challenge and firm insistence on the truth can be effective when they are steady and non-judgmental, and accompanied by a lot of mercy, love and a bit of humor. The Holy Spirit will take care of the rest. AMEN