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Catholic Sunday Scripture Study, 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time
10/28/2011 9:23:00 PM
October 30, 2011
First Reading:
Malachi 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10
14Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it,
and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished; for I am a great King,
says the LORD of hosts, and my name is feared among the nations.
1 "And now, O priests, this command is for you.
2 If you will not listen, if you will not lay it to heart to give glory to my name,
says the LORD of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your
blessings; indeed I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart.
8 But you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble
by your instruction; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the LORD of hosts,
9 and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you
have not kept my ways but have shown partiality in your instruction."
10 Have we not all one father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we
faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our fathers?
Responsorial Psalm:
Psalm 131:1-3
R. In you, Lord, I have found my peace.
O LORD, my heart is not proud,
nor are my eyes haughty;
I busy not myself with great things,
nor with things too sublime for me.
R. In you, Lord, I have found my peace.
Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted
my soul like a weaned child.
Like a weaned child on its mother's lap,
so is my soul within me.
R. In you, Lord, I have found my peace.
O Israel, hope in the LORD,
both now and forever.
R. In you, Lord, I have found my peace.
Second Reading:
1Thessalonians 2:7 - 9, 13
7 But we were gentle among you, like a nurse taking care of her children.
8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with
you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had
become very dear to us.
9 For you remember our labor and toil, brethren; we worked night and day,
that we might not burden any of you, while we preached to you the gospel of God.
13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the
word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but
as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
Gospel:
Matthew 23:1 - 12
1 Then said Jesus to the crowds and to his disciples,
2 "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat;
3 so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do;
for they preach, but do not practice.
4 They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders;
but they themselves will not move them with their finger.
5 They do all their deeds to be seen by men; for they make their
phylacteries broad and their fringes long,
6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues,
7 and salutations in the market places, and being called rabbi by men.
8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher,
and you are all brethren.
9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father,
who is in heaven.
10 Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ.
11 He who is greatest among you shall be your servant;
12 whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles
himself will be exalted.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Overview of the Gospel:
* In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, Jesus is addressing both the crowds and his
disciples after he has silenced his opponents, including the Pharisees
(Matthew 21:23-22:46).
* Jesus tells his listeners that the Pharisees have a type of authority and
should be listened to. Tradition had it that the precepts of the Jewish law
were carried on through an unbroken line of scribes all the way back to Moses.
* The “chair of Moses” (chair = the Greek kathe’dras = the Latin cathedrum) may
have been an actual chair as was found in later synagogues. It is where we get the
Latin term ex cathedra—from the Chair of Peter, that is, the Pope.
* Even though Jesus acknowledges the authority of these leaders, he warns his
leaders not to imitate their hypocritical behavior, “for they preach, but do not practice.”
(see Romans 2:21-24). They wield and exercise authority, but without humility.
* After Jesus’ discourse that we hear today he will, in no uncertain terms,
go on to condemn the hypocrisy of the Pharisees (Matthew 23:13-39).
QUESTIONS:
* What was the sin of the Old Testament religious leaders as described by
Malachi in the 1st Reading? What were some of the results of these sins?
* In the 2nd Reading, what sort of example did St. Paul and his fellow
missionaries give to the Thessalonians? What was the fruit of their example
in their lives?
* What was the seat of Moses? Given Jesus’ remarks about the Pharisees in
chapters 21—22, what is surprising about his remarks in 23:3? How does he
limit his commendation of them?
* As Jesus sees it, what is the main evil of the Pharisee? How are his disciples
to avoid falling into the same evil? Why would it be important that the disciples not
allow themselves to be called “rabbi”? What distinction was Jesus trying to make
between his followers and the Pharisees?
* Compare the path of greatness followed by some of the Pharisees with that
taught by Jesus (verses 5-12). What do these two views of greatness teach us
about the two views of the kingdom of God?
* What do you expect from your religious leaders and teachers? If you are a parent,
catechist or other religious teacher, how well do you practice what you preach?
* Regarding Matthew 23:12, what are some of the episodes of your life that illustrate
the truth of this passage to yourself? How have you been humbled? What did you
learn from these events (see James 4:6 and Luke 1:52)?
First Reading:
Malachi 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10
14Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it,
and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished; for I am a great King,
says the LORD of hosts, and my name is feared among the nations.
1 "And now, O priests, this command is for you.
2 If you will not listen, if you will not lay it to heart to give glory to my name,
says the LORD of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your
blessings; indeed I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart.
8 But you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble
by your instruction; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the LORD of hosts,
9 and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you
have not kept my ways but have shown partiality in your instruction."
10 Have we not all one father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we
faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our fathers?
Responsorial Psalm:
Psalm 131:1-3
R. In you, Lord, I have found my peace.
O LORD, my heart is not proud,
nor are my eyes haughty;
I busy not myself with great things,
nor with things too sublime for me.
R. In you, Lord, I have found my peace.
Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted
my soul like a weaned child.
Like a weaned child on its mother's lap,
so is my soul within me.
R. In you, Lord, I have found my peace.
O Israel, hope in the LORD,
both now and forever.
R. In you, Lord, I have found my peace.
Second Reading:
1Thessalonians 2:7 - 9, 13
7 But we were gentle among you, like a nurse taking care of her children.
8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with
you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had
become very dear to us.
9 For you remember our labor and toil, brethren; we worked night and day,
that we might not burden any of you, while we preached to you the gospel of God.
13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the
word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but
as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
Gospel:
Matthew 23:1 - 12
1 Then said Jesus to the crowds and to his disciples,
2 "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat;
3 so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do;
for they preach, but do not practice.
4 They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders;
but they themselves will not move them with their finger.
5 They do all their deeds to be seen by men; for they make their
phylacteries broad and their fringes long,
6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues,
7 and salutations in the market places, and being called rabbi by men.
8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher,
and you are all brethren.
9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father,
who is in heaven.
10 Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ.
11 He who is greatest among you shall be your servant;
12 whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles
himself will be exalted.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Overview of the Gospel:
* In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, Jesus is addressing both the crowds and his
disciples after he has silenced his opponents, including the Pharisees
(Matthew 21:23-22:46).
* Jesus tells his listeners that the Pharisees have a type of authority and
should be listened to. Tradition had it that the precepts of the Jewish law
were carried on through an unbroken line of scribes all the way back to Moses.
* The “chair of Moses” (chair = the Greek kathe’dras = the Latin cathedrum) may
have been an actual chair as was found in later synagogues. It is where we get the
Latin term ex cathedra—from the Chair of Peter, that is, the Pope.
* Even though Jesus acknowledges the authority of these leaders, he warns his
leaders not to imitate their hypocritical behavior, “for they preach, but do not practice.”
(see Romans 2:21-24). They wield and exercise authority, but without humility.
* After Jesus’ discourse that we hear today he will, in no uncertain terms,
go on to condemn the hypocrisy of the Pharisees (Matthew 23:13-39).
QUESTIONS:
* What was the sin of the Old Testament religious leaders as described by
Malachi in the 1st Reading? What were some of the results of these sins?
* In the 2nd Reading, what sort of example did St. Paul and his fellow
missionaries give to the Thessalonians? What was the fruit of their example
in their lives?
* What was the seat of Moses? Given Jesus’ remarks about the Pharisees in
chapters 21—22, what is surprising about his remarks in 23:3? How does he
limit his commendation of them?
* As Jesus sees it, what is the main evil of the Pharisee? How are his disciples
to avoid falling into the same evil? Why would it be important that the disciples not
allow themselves to be called “rabbi”? What distinction was Jesus trying to make
between his followers and the Pharisees?
* Compare the path of greatness followed by some of the Pharisees with that
taught by Jesus (verses 5-12). What do these two views of greatness teach us
about the two views of the kingdom of God?
* What do you expect from your religious leaders and teachers? If you are a parent,
catechist or other religious teacher, how well do you practice what you preach?
* Regarding Matthew 23:12, what are some of the episodes of your life that illustrate
the truth of this passage to yourself? How have you been humbled? What did you
learn from these events (see James 4:6 and Luke 1:52)?
10/29/2011 9:39:48 PM
Meditation: Does your practice match your talk? Jesus scolds the scribes and Pharisees, the religious leaders of the Jews, for their showy practices. In a way they wanted to be good models of observant Jews. See how well we observe all the ritual rules and regulations of our religion! In their misguided zeal for religion they sought respect and honor for themselves rather than for God and for his word. They wanted the people to treat them as great teachers and rulers. They, unfortunately, made the practice of their faith a burden rather than a joy for the people they were supposed to serve.
Was Jesus against calling anyone rabbi or father? Or was he just directing this sharp rebuke to the scribes and Pharisees? Jesus seemed to be warning both his disciples and the religious leaders about the temptation to seek titles and honors to increase one's personal reputation and admiration by others. The scriptures give ample warning about the danger of self-seeking pride: "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbes 16:18) "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6; Proverbs 3:24)
Jerome, an early church father (347-420 AD) and bible scholar who translated the bible from the original Hebrew and Greek into the common Latin tongue, comments on this passage:
"No one should be called teacher or father except God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. He alone is the Father, because all things are from him. He alone is the teacher, because through him are made all things and through him all things are reconciled to God. But one might ask, 'Is it against this precept when the apostle calls himself the teacher of the Gentiles? Or when, as in colloquial speech widely found in the monasteries of Egypt and Palestine, they call each other Father?' Remember this distinction. It is one thing to be a father or a teacher by nature, another to be so by generosity. For when we call a man father and reserve the honor of his age, we may thereby be failing to honor the Author of our own lives. One is rightly called a teacher only from his association with the true Teacher. I repeat: The fact that we have one God and one Son of God through nature does not prevent others from being understood as sons of God by adoption. Similarly this does not make the terms father and teacher useless or prevent others from being called father." [Jerome's Commentary on Matthew]
Respect for God and his ways inclines us to Godly humility and simplicity of heart. The word disciple means one who listens in order to learn. Jesus shows us the way to the Father – the way of peace, joy, righteousness, holiness, and true happiness. He showed us the way by lowering himself as a servant for our sake. He humbled himself, even to death on a cross, that we might be raised up and exalted at the Father's right hand in heaven (Philippians 2:1-11). What is true Christ-like humility? Humility is true self-knowledge – regarding oneself as God sees each of us. The humble do not rely on themselves, but trust in God and in the power of his love and saving grace. True humility is a servant-like quality which enables us to place our life at the service of God and the service of our neighbor. Do you know the joy of Christ-like humility and simplicity of heart?
"Lord Jesus, teach me your way of humility and servanthood that I may walk in love as you have loved me. Fill me with the joy of servanthood that I may know the true freedom of selfless love and generous service for my neighbor."
Was Jesus against calling anyone rabbi or father? Or was he just directing this sharp rebuke to the scribes and Pharisees? Jesus seemed to be warning both his disciples and the religious leaders about the temptation to seek titles and honors to increase one's personal reputation and admiration by others. The scriptures give ample warning about the danger of self-seeking pride: "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbes 16:18) "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6; Proverbs 3:24)
Jerome, an early church father (347-420 AD) and bible scholar who translated the bible from the original Hebrew and Greek into the common Latin tongue, comments on this passage:
"No one should be called teacher or father except God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. He alone is the Father, because all things are from him. He alone is the teacher, because through him are made all things and through him all things are reconciled to God. But one might ask, 'Is it against this precept when the apostle calls himself the teacher of the Gentiles? Or when, as in colloquial speech widely found in the monasteries of Egypt and Palestine, they call each other Father?' Remember this distinction. It is one thing to be a father or a teacher by nature, another to be so by generosity. For when we call a man father and reserve the honor of his age, we may thereby be failing to honor the Author of our own lives. One is rightly called a teacher only from his association with the true Teacher. I repeat: The fact that we have one God and one Son of God through nature does not prevent others from being understood as sons of God by adoption. Similarly this does not make the terms father and teacher useless or prevent others from being called father." [Jerome's Commentary on Matthew]
Respect for God and his ways inclines us to Godly humility and simplicity of heart. The word disciple means one who listens in order to learn. Jesus shows us the way to the Father – the way of peace, joy, righteousness, holiness, and true happiness. He showed us the way by lowering himself as a servant for our sake. He humbled himself, even to death on a cross, that we might be raised up and exalted at the Father's right hand in heaven (Philippians 2:1-11). What is true Christ-like humility? Humility is true self-knowledge – regarding oneself as God sees each of us. The humble do not rely on themselves, but trust in God and in the power of his love and saving grace. True humility is a servant-like quality which enables us to place our life at the service of God and the service of our neighbor. Do you know the joy of Christ-like humility and simplicity of heart?
"Lord Jesus, teach me your way of humility and servanthood that I may walk in love as you have loved me. Fill me with the joy of servanthood that I may know the true freedom of selfless love and generous service for my neighbor."
Link
10/29/2011 9:40:48 PM
THE MESSAGE, NOT THE MESSENGER
"We thank God constantly that in receiving His message from us you took it, not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God." —1 Thessalonians 2:13
As a teenager, I attended daily Masses said by Father O'Hare (not his real name). His style rubbed me the wrong way; it was hard for me to concentrate on his homilies. God used him to teach me to concentrate on the message, not the messenger (1 Thes 2:13). Here are some words of God from various "disturbing" messengers over the years that have stayed with me:
* Sin is serious. Repent immediately.
* We Catholics have the greatest news ever. We need to share this news with everyone.
* "He Who has begun the good work in you will carry it through to completion" (Phil 1:6).
* You have to work for justice if you call yourself Christian.
* Jesus loves you passionately. Why can't you love Him?
* Here is how you wait on the Lord: "you just wait."
* The infant Jesus lies in a manger, a feeding trough. By this God shows us that Jesus is Food for us (Jn 6:55).
* Teach the truth.
God uses all kinds of messengers to speak His words to us. He may speak His most profound messages through the messenger we least want to hear. How about you? What words of God can you list from messengers whose style you didn't care for? What messages of God are you missing?
"We thank God constantly that in receiving His message from us you took it, not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God." —1 Thessalonians 2:13
As a teenager, I attended daily Masses said by Father O'Hare (not his real name). His style rubbed me the wrong way; it was hard for me to concentrate on his homilies. God used him to teach me to concentrate on the message, not the messenger (1 Thes 2:13). Here are some words of God from various "disturbing" messengers over the years that have stayed with me:
* Sin is serious. Repent immediately.
* We Catholics have the greatest news ever. We need to share this news with everyone.
* "He Who has begun the good work in you will carry it through to completion" (Phil 1:6).
* You have to work for justice if you call yourself Christian.
* Jesus loves you passionately. Why can't you love Him?
* Here is how you wait on the Lord: "you just wait."
* The infant Jesus lies in a manger, a feeding trough. By this God shows us that Jesus is Food for us (Jn 6:55).
* Teach the truth.
God uses all kinds of messengers to speak His words to us. He may speak His most profound messages through the messenger we least want to hear. How about you? What words of God can you list from messengers whose style you didn't care for? What messages of God are you missing?
Link
10/29/2011 9:59:57 PM
Though they were Moses’ successors, the Pharisees and scribes exalted themselves, made their mastery of the law a badge of social privilege. Worse, they had lorded the law over the people (see Matthew 20:25). Like the priests Malachi condemns in today’s First Reading, they caused many to falter and be closed off from God.
In a word, Israel’s leaders failed to be good spiritual fathers of God’s people. Moses was a humble father-figure, preaching the law but also practicing it - interceding and begging God’s mercy and forgiveness of the people’s sins (see Exodus 32:9-14; Psalm 90).
And Jesus reminds us today that all fatherhood - in the family or in the people of God - comes from the our Father in heaven (see Ephesians 3:15).
He doesn’t mean we’re to literally call no man “father.” He himself referred to Israel’s founding fathers (see John 7:42); the apostles taught about natural fatherhood (see Hebrews 12:7-11), and described themselves as spiritual fathers (see 1 Corinthians 4:14-16)
The fatherhood of the apostles and their successors, the Church’s priests and bishops, is a spiritual paternity given to raise us as God’s children. Our fathers give us new life in baptism, and feed us the spiritual milk of the gospel and the Eucharist (see 1 Peter 2:2-3). That’s why Paul, in today’s Epistle, can also compare himself to a nursing mother.
God’s fatherhood likewise transcends all human notions of fatherhood and motherhood. Perhaps that’s why the Psalm chosen for today includes one of the rare biblical images of God’s maternal care (see Isaiah 66:13).
His only Son has shown us the Father (see John 14:9) coming to gather His children as a hen gathers her young (see Matthew 23:37). We’re all brothers and sisters, our Lord tells us today. And all of us - even our spiritual fathers - are to trust in Him, humbly, like children on our mothers’ laps.
In a word, Israel’s leaders failed to be good spiritual fathers of God’s people. Moses was a humble father-figure, preaching the law but also practicing it - interceding and begging God’s mercy and forgiveness of the people’s sins (see Exodus 32:9-14; Psalm 90).
And Jesus reminds us today that all fatherhood - in the family or in the people of God - comes from the our Father in heaven (see Ephesians 3:15).
He doesn’t mean we’re to literally call no man “father.” He himself referred to Israel’s founding fathers (see John 7:42); the apostles taught about natural fatherhood (see Hebrews 12:7-11), and described themselves as spiritual fathers (see 1 Corinthians 4:14-16)
The fatherhood of the apostles and their successors, the Church’s priests and bishops, is a spiritual paternity given to raise us as God’s children. Our fathers give us new life in baptism, and feed us the spiritual milk of the gospel and the Eucharist (see 1 Peter 2:2-3). That’s why Paul, in today’s Epistle, can also compare himself to a nursing mother.
God’s fatherhood likewise transcends all human notions of fatherhood and motherhood. Perhaps that’s why the Psalm chosen for today includes one of the rare biblical images of God’s maternal care (see Isaiah 66:13).
His only Son has shown us the Father (see John 14:9) coming to gather His children as a hen gathers her young (see Matthew 23:37). We’re all brothers and sisters, our Lord tells us today. And all of us - even our spiritual fathers - are to trust in Him, humbly, like children on our mothers’ laps.
Article URL: http://www.salvationhistory.com/homily_helps/thirty-first_sunday_in_ordinary_time/
10/29/2011 10:55:21 PM
* What was the sin of the Old Testament religious leaders as described by
Malachi in the 1st Reading? What were some of the results of these sins?
Malachi in the 1st Reading? What were some of the results of these sins?
Malachi (meaning "my messenger" in Hebrew) lived during the time the Temple was built in Jerusalem, about 515 B.C. near as we can tell. He favored the priests and their role in salvation, but objected strongly in the way they had strayed and fallen from their original role.
Temple priests of Malachi's time routinely offered up sick, old, blind, diseased or crippled animals for sacrifice on Yahweh's holy altar. They were required to sacrifice only their unblemished animals to God! How both the priests and the lay people offering up such defective sacrifices had fallen.
As Malachi warns: those who openly promise to sacrifice the best of their flock, yet knowingly substitute an inferior beast and keep the best one for themselves will be cursed. As if God can be tricked or "conned." Yeah, right. Pull one over on God who sees everything and knows all. As a great Biblical scholar once told me: "God cannot deceive nor be deceived since he is total truth." I get the chills up and down my back whenever I realize this.
Today's readings focus on the priesthood and we will celebrate World Priests' Day on 31 OCT. This reminds me of a story about Blessed Mother Teresa, our dear Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu. She was touring the globe and arrived at the airport of a city with a huge Catholic population. Of course, the local Archbishop picked her up at the airport in his chauffeured personal limo and they proceeded to drive to the cathedral. On the way, she asked the Archbishop how his prayer life was coming and how he was tending his flock, the parishioners of the diocese. He complained to her that he had no time for praying and less time to meet with lay members due to his constant meetings with the media, business moguls, the local Catholic university endowment committee, diocesan finance committees and fund raisers.
<...bad move, Your Excellency!...>
The story goes that with the greatest of love and tenderness, this diminutive Mother of the Missionaries of Charities lit into this Archbishop one side and down the other. She kept pounding away at the absolute need of constant prayer and service at all stations of life. It was said when this Archbishop exited his limo, he looked so rattled it was as if he just went ten rounds with George Foreman in his prime. She was utterly fearless, brave, and loving in doing this.
P.S.
Gonxha means "rosebud" or "little flower" in Albanian; she is our modern day Malachi!
10/29/2011 11:22:16 PM
Thank you for such a great little story, BeNotAfraid! Blessed Mother Teresa is sure known for not mincing words when it came to the Truth!!
* In the 2nd Reading, what sort of example did St. Paul and his fellow missionaries give to the Thessalonians? What was the fruit of their example in their lives?
Oh, I just love the imagery we get in this reading. St. Paul describes himself and his fellow missionaries as being gentle, as a "nursing mother cares for her children". As a nursing mom myself, this is very near and dear it my heart, as I think if the hours of closeness spent with my children in my treasured rocking chair. Their utter dependence on me as we bonded in those first postpartum days gradually progressed into nursing as a source of ultimate comfort and security as they toddled their way to increasing independence.
As a mother gives of her very self to fulfill the needs of her child, so St. Paul and his contemporaries gave tirelessly of themselves to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Thessalonica as they progressed on their faith journeys. St. Paul says
we worked day and night". BTDT. And when St. Paul sees the good works coming from the people who have taken seriously the Gospel and are living it in their daily lives, does he pat himself on the back for a job well done? NO! He rightly thanks God - and unceasingly at that - because he knows, as we so often forget that it is HIM that is alive and working in the Thessalonians. Nice lesson in humility there for us.
* In the 2nd Reading, what sort of example did St. Paul and his fellow missionaries give to the Thessalonians? What was the fruit of their example in their lives?
Oh, I just love the imagery we get in this reading. St. Paul describes himself and his fellow missionaries as being gentle, as a "nursing mother cares for her children". As a nursing mom myself, this is very near and dear it my heart, as I think if the hours of closeness spent with my children in my treasured rocking chair. Their utter dependence on me as we bonded in those first postpartum days gradually progressed into nursing as a source of ultimate comfort and security as they toddled their way to increasing independence.
As a mother gives of her very self to fulfill the needs of her child, so St. Paul and his contemporaries gave tirelessly of themselves to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Thessalonica as they progressed on their faith journeys. St. Paul says
we worked day and night". BTDT. And when St. Paul sees the good works coming from the people who have taken seriously the Gospel and are living it in their daily lives, does he pat himself on the back for a job well done? NO! He rightly thanks God - and unceasingly at that - because he knows, as we so often forget that it is HIM that is alive and working in the Thessalonians. Nice lesson in humility there for us.
