Thessalonica (now Thessaloniki) was the capital of the Macedonian state. It was founded by one of Alexander the Great's generals around 30 BC and named after his wife, who was Alexander's half-sister. The city is located in the Thermaic Gulf and rests on a series of hills. It is connected to first-class Roman roads, the most important of which is the Egnatian Way, which comes from Rome and heads to Asia Minor and the Black Sea. It passes through it and heads north to the Danube River. After 42 AD, Thessalonica was called the Free City because it supported Octavian, who became Emperor Augustus in 27 BC. It became rich and self-sufficient, and its population was diverse, including Greeks, Italians, Syrians, Egyptians and Jews.

Paul visited the city on his second missionary journey, after leaving Philippi as an outcast. As was his custom, he began by proclaiming the gospel in the synagogues of the Jews. However, the Jewish community soon complained about the apostle and forced him to leave the city (Acts 17:1-10). In fact, some of the Jews who listened to Paul for “three Sabbaths” while he taught them “showing to them (from the Old Testament)… that Jesus… is the Christ,” were “envious”… and accused him and those who had accepted his preaching of “contrary to the commandments of Caesar, saying that there is another king, named Jesus,” which prompted the brothers to force Paul and Silas, fearing for their safety, to leave the city. The two apostles went to Berea at night, then Paul went alone to Athens, and it is likely that Timothy contacted him there, and the apostle asked him to go to Thessalonica to reassure him about its church. He went to Corinth, where his disciple brought him good news that greatly comforted him. It seems that the Christians burdened Timothy with some questions - perhaps written in a letter - that had raised them after the apostle left their country, so Paul decided, around the year 50, to write to them to establish them in the Lord and keep them away from all deviation.

The Apostle began his epistle - his first writing and the first text of the New Testament - by thanking God. Then, while praying, he remembered the people of Thessalonica and their activity in faith, their struggle in love, and their steadfast hope. He thus indicated that true Christianity - which he planted in Thessalonica - was embodied in daily life. Then he explained the way in which this young community experienced persecution, and he saw in it signs of God’s intervention, for “the great tribulation” did not prevent them from receiving “the word of God with joy from the Holy Spirit” (1:4-6), but rather their faith in God and his Gospel (which purified them from idolatry and guided them to the “living truth” of Jesus, risen from the dead…) was spread “in all places” (7-10).

In the second chapter, the apostle suggests that his enemies were still continuing their campaign to tarnish his reputation, which forced him to defend himself by reminding the Christians of what had really happened when he came to them and spoke to them “the good news of God.” He assured them that there was no error in his preaching, “no ungodliness, no deceit,” no flattery, and no seeking of “glory” from anyone. He suffered pain and wounds…, and did not accept any financial assistance (except the offering of the believers in Philippians 4:15-16), and, as “an apostle of Christ,” he worked “night and day” so as not to be a burden “to anyone.” He then reminded them how he treated each one of them “in a just and righteous manner, without blame,” and how he exhorted them, strengthened them, and urged them to walk “in a manner worthy of God, who calls you to his kingdom and glory” (1:21). Then Paul (13-16) spoke harshly of the Jewish community with the severity they deserved (“They are the ones who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets… They are the ones who displease God… And they forbid us to speak to the Gentiles so that they may be saved…”). At the end of this chapter, Paul, as a father (and mother), shows great affection for the Thessalonians. His separation from them increased his longing and “desire to see their faces” (17-20). His anxiety, as we mentioned, led him to send Timothy to inquire about their condition, fearing that “the tempter might have tempted them.” However, Timothy comforted his teacher by bringing him fragrant bouquets that refreshed his heart and cheered his mood (he told him about their faith, love, steadfastness, and longing to see him…) (3:1-13).

In the fourth chapter, the Apostle gives instructions that he received from the risen Lord present in the Church through His Holy Spirit. He urges them to make further progress in conduct that “pleases God,” and calls on them to avoid fornication, and for each of them to do well to “marry a wife in holiness and honor.” There is no doubt that this commandment was difficult for the young converts, but the Apostle, who does not accept that faith is theoretical and its moral standards are equivalent to those of the pagans, urges Christians to get rid of everything that hinders their holiness lest they “despise God.” Then he reminds them of brotherly love, and forbids them from laziness (he asks them to work with their hands) lest they be a burden to others. At the end of this chapter, we realize that several deaths have occurred in the Church and have worried the believers, so they asked Paul about the fate of the dead and their participation in the coming time. In his answer, the Apostle used some of the words and images known in Jewish apocalyptic literature (the voice, the trumpet, the clouds…) and in a symbolic way he showed the supreme power of God. He called them to trust in the Lord Jesus who rose from the dead and abolished death by his death, and he comforted them by revealing to them that those who believe in him (the dead and the living) will share in his victory and enjoy the joy of his presence, and will be “with the Lord always” (4:13-18).

In the fifth chapter, he dealt with the issue of the Lord’s second coming, using some of the words of the apocalyptic literature itself (the day of the Lord, light and darkness). In his treatment, he started from the words of Jesus (Mark 13:32), for no one knows when the Lord will come, that “he comes like a thief in the night,” and that we must wait for him “while we are awake.” Then he strengthened the believers and called on them to build each other up (5:1-11). At the end of the letter, he included seventeen practical and distinct commandments (he asked them to honor their pastors… and not to repay evil for evil…). He swore that “this letter be read to all the brothers” (12-28).

This message helps us to discover the traces of the first expressions of faith in Christ. It enables us to experience the vitality of the Gospel in the early Church, and it calls us to make our Christianity truly embodied in life, and to have, at all times, an unbroken hope in the Lord Jesus.

My parish bulletin
Sunday, September 6, 1998
Issue 36