21stWeek in Ord. Time, Friday – 1st September 2023 — 1 Thess 4,1-8; Mt 25,1-13
Call to Holiness of Relationship
In the first reading, St.Paul urges the faithful Thessalonians to seek a closer relationship with God by striving more diligently to live a pure and holy life. This exhortation particularly concerns the matter of chastity. Paul describes the importance of having a licit and valid marriage and to avoid all forms of sexual misconduct. He begins by making his appeal and exhortation in the name of the Lord, “we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus…” Paul does not talk to them arrogantly but does speak with authority in the Lord Jesus. Earlier, he had instructed them on how to live in ways that please God. But now he urges them to make even more progress in the way of the Lord. It points to steady progress in a forward direction. All forms of sexual misconduct are to be avoided, in consideration of the truth that God sanctifies his faithful by the presence of the Holy Spirit in them. He exhorts the Christians to sexual integrity and self-restraint.
