A loving person constantly cares for others!

August 28, 2025 Thursday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Daily Readings:  1 Thessalonians 3:7-13; Matthew 24:42-51

St. Paul is a large-hearted person who constantly desires to stay in touch with Christian communities. Today’s text reveals his concern for the Christians at Thessalonica. He urgently sends Timothy as his envoy to study the situation there. Timothy visits and returns with good news about their faith and love, as well as their desire to meet with one another. The report also states that they remain faithful to the Gospel despite many challenges. This encourages Paul and brings him consolation and peace of mind.

Paul tells them that he prays for them most earnestly, night and day, so that whatever is lacking in their faith may be restored. He prays that God Himself may help him and his companions to visit them. He promotes mutual love in abundance within the community, projecting the love that exists among his team as a model. He also insists on holiness of life so that they may stand blameless before God.

The Gospel text of today focuses on the theme of the Parousia, the Second Coming of the Lord. Believers are called to be faithful and vigilant at all times, for they do not know the day when the Lord will come. Just as the owner of a house remains watchful because he does not know when a thief might come, so too must every Christian be prepared. A wise and faithful servant diligently fulfills his duties while waiting for his master to arrive at any hour, day or night. In contrast, an unfaithful servant abuses the authority entrusted to him and neglects his responsibilities. The faithful servant will be rewarded and placed in charge of the master’s possessions, while the unfaithful one will be severely punished and cast out with the hypocrites. Here lies a vital lesson. The choice is ours.

Call to Action: The one who knows that the Lord is coming will know how to live his life.