November 13, 2022 WORD Reflection

WORD

"In fact, when we were with you,

we instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work,

neither should that one eat.

We hear that some are conducting themselves among you in a

disorderly way,

by not keeping busy but minding the business of others."

(From the Second Reading, 2 Thessalonians 3: 7 -12)

OBSERVE

This letter was about a social reality happening among the believers in Thessaloniki, many of them were no longer working but depended on others.

Instead, of working they were keeping themselves busy by minding the business of others. In other words, mga maritess.

The First Letter to the Thessalonians was about the parousia, or the Second Coming. At that point, there was a growing confusion why the Lord has not yet come back when he promised to do so in their lifetime. Paul assured them that Jesus will surely come back.

The Second Letter offered another side of the story, it tells us that there were Christians who in their acceptance of the Second Coming stopped working altogether!

They were just relying that other Christians will supply them of their needs. It has become a welfare society where there are some Christians who are toiling day and night to work for a living.

While the rest, instead of working to improve their situation, were gossip-mongers and busy bodies who are not taking care of their own business but are vigilant maritess and marisols.

RESPOND

Lord, you have promised to return to us in the fullness of time.

While we await your coming you have given us the task to spread the Good News and work for the coming of your kingdom.

May our lives and works do not become a burden for others to carry.

Instead, may we find joy in our work, knowing that you will reward those who are faithful and true. Amen.

DISCERN

Our present society tends to go between extremes rather than strike a balance in the middle where virtues are.

There is too much inclination to look into other people's lives while on the other hand there is too much introspection.

Busy looking outside or too much looking inside that we forget to go to work and get things done.

Of course, opinions will be divided. Yet, Paul wrote "Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you, so that you might imitate us."

Real leaders are those who have done something concrete, those who can show something worth imitating, not those who excel in doing nothing but put in their noses in other people's lives.

Unfortunately, our society today has uplifted those "busy-bodies" who have institutionalized doing nothing and whining that this is not enough while reaping the fruits of other people's labor .

Ang mga wala inobrahan indi dapat sundon sang mga nagabakabaka obra.