Two Sundays ago, the reading from the First Letter to the Thessalonians reported a summary of Paul’s preaching in Thessaloniki.  When Paul evangelized the Thessalonians, he invited them to turn “to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to await his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus, who delivers us from the coming wrath.” (1 Thes 1:9-10)

The Thessalonians put their faith in that message.  They abandoned their idolatrous pagan religions, and they worshiped “the living and true God” wholeheartedly, because they believed that doing so would bring them redemption from their sins.

Paul’s converts in Thessaloniki believed that everyone’s faith would be tested during “the coming wrath,” but those who remained steadfast would be delivered from their trials and taken into God’s kingdom when Jesus returned in glory.  They expected that, by remaining faithful, they would live to see Jesus’ glorious return.

The expectation of Jesus’ imminent return was part of Paul’s preaching and, almost certainly, it formed part of the motivation for those who accepted Paul’s invitation to repentance and reform.  This belief in Jesus’ imminent return became somewhat problematic, however, and Paul found that he had to address a significant concern that arose because of this belief.  This Sunday’s selection from First Thessalonians is Paul’s response to those who worried about the consequences of the delay in the Lord’s return.

The Thessalonians believed that the final test of faith for all people would happen during their lifetime and that they would see the day of the Lord’s return in glory.  When members of their congregation began to die, they worried that those who had died before the Lord’s return might be excluded from that glorious day.

Addressing this worry about the Thessalonians’ deceased loved ones, Paul wrote, “Brothers, we do not want you to misunderstand about those who have died; you should not grieve like those who have no hope.  .  .  the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the heavens. Thus, we shall always be with the Lord.” (1 Thes 4:13,16-17)

Paul’s message of consolation was not substantially different from his original preaching to the Thessalonians.  When Paul evangelized them, he preached that those who were faithful to God would be saved.  When it became obvious that the day of the Lord’s return would be delayed, Paul applied this teaching to all the faithful, both those who had died and those who lived in hopeful expectation of the Last Day.

Long ago, the Church came to terms with the indefinite delay of the Lord’s return, but Paul’s message of consolation remains pertinent still.  There is still worry in the minds of some about the day of the Lord’s return.  Many more worry about their sins, their deceased friends and relatives, or those who live less than faithful lives.  The faithful response to worry remains to trust in God.

Paul’s message of consolation remains pertinent because there are many appealing alternatives to trust in God.  Among the popular alternatives to faith, two are worth noting: coercion and catastrophizing.

A common tactic used in all relationships is coercive behavior.  This can be seen in families, corporations, and nations, as well as one’s relationship with God.  The overwhelming urge to say more prayers, perform more pious acts, and attract greater attention to one’s religiosity is the sort of coercive behavior that Jesus found objectionable in the Jerusalem Pharisees.  The apparent value of coercive behavior is an illusion.  As all coercive behavior is fundamentally dishonest, a dishonest relationship with God isn’t really a relationship with God at all.

A second common response to the ordinary challenges life poses is to catastrophize.  Again, this can be seen in all relationships, but it is especially prominent today with regard to political issues.  One of America’s favorite pastimes is to complain, threaten, and fret about imagined worst-case scenario outcomes in everything from local sports events to international events.  Regardless of the topic that is portrayed as a bogeyman to frighten others, catastrophizing is destructive to all relationships, including one’s relationship to God.

Paul reassured the Thessalonians by reminding them of the message of faith they received from him that salvation is promised to those who trust in God, believe Jesus’ preaching, and practice his teachings.  The alternatives to the hope Paul preached are many, but none are hopeful.

There are many causes of worry and many tragedies to grieve but if we do nothing but worry and grieve, we live without hope.  St. Paul reminds us that we must always hold fast to faith and hope because no loss, disappointment, or tragedy is more worrisome than being separated from God and one another.