From today’s Scripture: “We wanted to present ourselves as a model for you.” — 2 Thes 3:9

In any family where parents work hard, the children enjoy the fruits and grow up knowing that working is good. Parents become models for their children. For families to have food on the table, the parents must work hard.

St. Paul mentions four times the idea of “imitating” and “walking according to” his example and teaching. He was trying to counteract a tendency among some believers in Thessalonica who thought the community provided for them, and their example led others to do the same. By contrast, Paul and his companions worked and earned their keep while they preached there. He knew it was important for believers to see authentic examples of what it’s like to live in the hope of Jesus’ return, and to contribute to the upbuilding of the community.

Jesus helped His foster Father, St. Joseph, in the work. Let us value the importance of work and encourage one another to work so that we can get our daily bread.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, help us to be a good model to those who are entrusted to us.

Today’s author is Sister Imelda Ngwitu, a Franciscan Sister of St. Anna, working with our missions in Southwest Georgia.

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