Last week in our lectionary, the second reading began St. Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians.  Let’s unpack this little letter to see how it may help you in your walk with Christ.

Many scholars believe St. Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians is his oldest letter and possibly the oldest writing in the entire canon of the New Testament.  Scholars date the letter around AD 50 or 51, about 17 years after the death and Resurrection of Christ.

Thessaloniki is in northern Greece.  It is one of the cities that we visited on our pilgrimage to Greece.  When St. Paul visited Thessaloniki, it was a bustling city with about 150,000 to 200,000 people.  It was the largest and most populous city in the Roman province of Macedonia.  

Thessaloniki was also known as a city deeply immersed in traditional pagan cults with its temples dotted around the city honoring the Greek gods.  For example, one temple was dedicated to Osiris (the god of the underworld who granted life) and Dionysus (the god of wine and fertility).

Thessaloniki also participated in the imperial cult or the worship of Caesar.   If one looked across the harbor, he or she could see Mount Olympus, which was the home of the Greek gods, and particularly, of Zeus (chief god, protector of all gods).  In short, a good citizen of Thessalonica was a worshipper of the gods who participated in various pagan cults.
         
The plot thickens when a little rabbi from Tarsus, Paul, and his companions made their way to Thessaloniki on their second missionary journey.  They had just left Philippi, where they were beaten with rods and thrown in prison.  Now, they arrived in Thessaloniki, a city steeped in paganism, idolatry, and sexual immorality.  They arrived in AD 49 or 50 and their preaching turned the city upside down.

For three Sabbaths, Paul and his companions argued with Jews and anyone willing to listen that there are not many gods, but only one God who created the heaven and the earth.  This God, the living and true God, is the God of Israel whose plan is to bless the whole human race and draw them into His covenant family.  

Paul proclaimed that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, crucified and now risen, from the dead.  It is not Osiris or Dionysus who give life, but Jesus.  And it is not Caesar who is the son of the living God, but rather Jesus.  He is the true King, the savior of humans and the great protector of peace.  One day, this Jesus, will come to judge the living and the dead. 
         
One can only imagine how Paul’s novel and powerful message turned the city upside down.   Citizens began turning away from the pagan cults causing an economic downturn for the pagan economy.  The gospel, when taken seriously, challenged the prevailing culture, i.e., beliefs and ways of living.          

In the Acts of the Apostles, we learn new converts were brought before city authorities.  Here is the accusation against them: “These men who have turned the world upside down…they are acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” (Acts 17:7-8).  In other words, they are bad citizens disobeying Caesar.  By proclaiming this other King, Jesus, they are a threat to the republic.   Hence, they deserve to be punished.

The infant church in Thessaloniki, afraid for the lives of Paul and Silas, sent them away to another city.  As time passes, Paul becomes worried about his spiritual children in Thessaloniki.  He hears they are being persecuted and fears they may fall away.  Consequently, Paul sends Timothy to check on them.  When he hears they are remaining strong and even growing, Paul writes a letter to encourage them.  We hear the beginning of that letter today.

Notice how Paul encourages them.  Like Paul, the Thessalonians are sharing in the sufferings of Christ.  They imitate Jesus and in doing so, they 
have “become a model for all believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.”  In other words, people all around Greece are talking about the Christians in Thessaloniki!

The early Christians were both connected and countercultural.  Catholics that embrace their faith fully with a spirit of joy and are willing to sacrifice for Christ are so very beautiful!   While there is always a cost to the gospel, the blessing of following Christ and sharing in His sufferings far outweigh the sacrifices!  

In every age, our Lord raises up a new batch of saints, men, women, old, young, moms, dads, single people, consecrated sisters, faithful priests, drawn from all ethnicities, nationalities, and classes, who are united in a common love for Christ as King and a willingness to serve Him.  It is they who renew the Church and, as the Christians did in Thessaloniki, turn the world upside down.  

                                                                         ~St. Thérèse, pray for us!