33rd Sunday Ordinary Time - Year C

WORK QUIETLY AND EAT YOUR OWN FOOD

Paul had won many converts in the city of Thessalonica by speaking of the end of the world. He seriously believed that it was coming soon and pressed his listeners on this point. There was a strong reaction, but one with unexpected weaknesses. Many of the people figured that since the end was coming, they should spend their last days in prayer. Hence they quit their jobs and focused on meditation. This won Christians a bad reputation. Paul tries to counter-act this by citing his own example. He was a tailor by profession and earned enough from this work to pay for his own needs and those of his co-workers.

THE TIME HAS COME!

Many Jews day in the first century anticipated the "Day of the Lord" or Doom's day. John the Baptist had preached its nearness. There was a debate over the exact nature of this event and its imminence. Jesus warns his followers not to become unduly upset over it. He urges them not to be worried over the signs that were said to presage it. He clearly teaches that the "Day" would not bring the destruction of the world, but the conclusion of the pre-Christian era. In the new world, Christians should expect persecution. He promises to give his disciples spiritual wisdom to counter their foes.

Related: Resources on Sunday Readings - Clipart, homelies, articles, coloring pages, music: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

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