1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
You yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our reception among you was not without effect. Rather, after we had suffered and been insolently treated, as you know, in Philippi, we drew courage through our God to speak to you the Gospel of God with much struggle. Our exhortation was not from delusion or impure motives, nor did it work through deception. But as we were judged worthy by God to be entrusted with the Gospel, that is how we speak, not as trying to please men, but rather God, who judges our hearts. Nor, indeed, did we ever appear with flattering speech, as you know, or with a pretext for greed - God is witness - nor did we seek praise from men, either from you or from others, although we were able to impose our weight as Apostles of Christ. Rather, we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother cares for her children. With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you not only the Gospel of God, but our very selves as well, so dearly beloved had you become to us.
Dawg's thought:
Today's prayer intention is for those traveling back from World Youth Day.
"Two friends unite in a goal forward." - C.S. Lewis
Today's reading reminds me to thank Our Lord today for the gift of friendship that, as we all have heaven as our goal, I may not walk alone.
One of the greatest images of friendship for me is the scene below the cross where Mary, Mother of God, Mary Magdalene and St. John the Apostle all look upon the suffering Christ united in their own suffering. This is a great image for me because it is the image of our own friendships with each other as we stand by each other, in our own suffering, looking toward Jesus.
Praise God because today, even through email, I stand united with all of you, in my own and your own suffering, looking toward Christ and the reward of heaven that we all one day hope to taste. Take care and God Bless.
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