Holy Wonderworker and Equal-to-the-Apostles Abercius, Bishop of Hieropolis (c. 200). Holy Father John Paul II, Pope.
1 Thessalonians 1:6-10. Luke 11:1-10.
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10
St. Paul commends the church in Thessalonica for becoming an example of faith to others throughout their region. Their lives reflected the Gospel so that people in neighbouring communities were inspired by their perseverance, despite adversity. This is a call to all our parish communities: How are we, as parishes, examples of Christian faith and community today?
St. Ignatius of Antioch teaches us that we are examples not by mere words but by our deeds. He says, “Let [others] be instructed by you, at least by your deeds. With their wrath you be mild, with their boastful speech you be humble-minded, with their abuse you offer prayers, with their deceit you be firm in faith, with their cruelty you be gentle.” This echoes what St. Paul saw in Thessalonica—the witness of believers through their conduct. Our faith shines when we respond to the brokenness of the world with humility, prayer, and gentleness.
One powerful example of this in our own time is St. John Paul II. Throughout his life, especially during his papacy, he lived the virtues that St. Ignatius described. Faced with political persecution in Poland, he stayed mild, offering prayers instead of retaliating with anger. When the world admired his intellect and leadership, he stayed humble-minded, acknowledging that all he had was a gift from God. And after surviving an assassination attempt, he offered prayers and forgiveness for his attacker rather than seeking vengeance.
St. John Paul II’s joy in the Holy Spirit was not the product of an easy life. He knew the struggles of war, persecution, and personal suffering. Yet, through it all, he radiated a deep, abiding joy that came from his unshakable faith in God’s providence and his love of the Theotokos. His life is a testament that true joy in the Holy Spirit is brought out in perseverance and suffering, just as it was for the Thessalonians. He exemplified what St. Ignatius and St. Paul taught—joy is not the absence of affliction, but the fruit of faithfulness through it.
As parish communities, we are called to follow these examples. Our faithfulness is not just in what we say, but in how we live—showing humility, offering prayers for those who hurt us, and standing firm in the truth with gentleness and love. St. John Paul II showed us how to do this on a global scale, and we are invited to do it within our parishes, families, and local communities. In doing so, we too can be an example for others, shining the light of Christ in our world.
So, let us take up the call of St. Paul, St. Ignatius, and St. John Paul II, and strive to make our parishes places where others find the joy, humility, and perseverance that reflect the love of Christ.