Thessalonians 3:6-10,16-18;
Matthew 23:27-32
I find this message of Paul to the Church in Thessalonica very interesting and worthwhile. Paul was anxious not to be a financial burden on the young church in Thessalonica. He lived in such a way that he would cater for himself not putting so much pressure on the people. He was equally concerned about some members of the church becoming unnecessary financial burden on the community, when, in reality, they were well capable of working to support themselves.
Elsewhere in his letters, Paul says to the members of the church to ‘bear one another’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ’ (Gal 6:2), which is the law of love. We are called to help carry the burden of others while not becoming unnecessary burdens on others.
In the Gospel, Jesus highlights that one way people can become a burden on others is when they give the appearance of ‘good honest people’ but, in reality, are full of ‘hypocrisy and lawlessness.’’
The genuine person is never a burden. Their honesty and truthfulness, their transparency and lack of deceit, are burden-lifting rather than burden-imposing.
Dear friends, the readings of today call us to live genuine lives so that we don’t make ourselves burden to the communities in which we live. May the grace to live authentic Christian live be granted us. Amen.
Peace!
