THURSDAY OF THE TWENTY – FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

1Thess 3:7 – 13/Psalm 89:3-4,12 – 14,17/Matthew 24:42 -51

In today’s first reading, Paul says to the church he had recently established, ‘your faith has been a great comfort to us in the middle of our own troubles and sorrows’. The motivation of his thanksgiving is as a result of the Thessalonians’ continued perseverance in faith. We are all reminded to be true to our faith and devotion to God, and not to be easily swayed by the temptations of worldly glory and attachments, all those things which may lead us down the path of sin and evil.

 Let us never underestimate how our own faith and the living of our faith can be a support to other people of faith. This ministry of encouragement is one we are all called to exercise for each other; it is rooted in our baptism.

Paul prays to God for the ultimate safety of the Thessalonians.  At this time his mind was full of thoughts of the Second Coming of Christ when men would stand before the judgment seat of God. It was his prayer that God would so preserve his people in righteousness that on that day they would not be ashamed.  The only way to prepare to meet God is to live daily with him.

In the Gospel reading Jesus speaks about the last days using the parable of the faithful and prudent servant, versus that of faithless, lazy and wicked servant. Each of those servants had different attitudes towards what their lord and master had told and commanded them to do, as he travels to a distance place.

The faithful and prudent servant did everything that he could in order to fulfil all of his master’s commands, doing his duties and works faithfully and obediently, diligently and properly while the wicked and lazy servant delayed in doing what he was supposed to do, neglected his obligations and works, and abused his authority and power granted to him by his lord and master.

 We then heard how each of the servants were correspondingly rewarded and punished, the faithful and prudent servant rewarded greatly for all the commitment and hard work that he had made, but the lazy and wicked servant punished and faced the consequences of his disobedience and laziness.

The lesson for us from this passage is to remind us that each one of us are the servants and stewards entrusted by God with the care of something, and with the well-being of our own fellow brothers and sisters. The Lord calls on us to watch and be ready – it is a great duty and interest of all Christians to watch, to be awake and keep awake, because the time of our Lord’s coming is uncertain. Procrastination they say is the thief of time.

 Let’s note this, “Do not think the lion is asleep just because it is not roaring”, Stop procrastinating, it is suicidal. Second chance may not be granted everyone. Perhaps, you have met people who have ruined their entire lives because of procrastination. Therefore, we have to be watchful and be prepared for the Lord’s coming; we must not be like the unfaithful Servant, but we should strive to be the Faithful Servant.

Mass intention: Praying for all those looking for the fruit of the womb. I also pray for the intentions of Uju Obasi, Victor Chukwudi, Susan Akinsete, Ofor Vivian, Sochima Uche Frankline and Ayodele Augustine.