🕃 The Holy Martyr Parasceve of Iconium; The Holy Martyrs Terentius and Neonila; Our Venerable Father Stephen the Sabaite, Composer of Canons.
Saint with Great Doxology.
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8; Luke 11:9-13.
Read 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
St. Paul reminds the Thessalonians that before coming to them, he and his companions had suffered and been mistreated in Philippi. Yet these experiences did not discourage them. Despite opposition, they found courage in God to continue proclaiming the Gospel.
What is particularly striking is not only Paul’s determination to preach, but also the way he preached. He speaks with remarkable transparency: their preaching was not motivated by error, impurity, deception, or a desire to please people, but rather to please God, who examines the heart.
Paul had nothing to hide and no reason to manipulate anyone. The Gospel is the truth, and truth does not need deception to make it attractive. As Christ teaches, “Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No’” (Matthew 5:37).
Paul also describes the tenderness with which they approached the community, comparing themselves to a nursing mother caring for her children. Their preaching was not simply the transmission of religious teachings; it was an expression of genuine love and concern for others.
St. John Chrysostom, reflecting on this passage, reminds us: “For merely to preach is not the same thing as to give the soul.” The Gospel is not simply something we proclaim with our lips; it must be reflected in the sincerity of our intentions, the integrity of our lives, and our genuine love for others.
This is a reminder for us as Christians: we are called not only to proclaim the Gospel, but to live it with sincerity, courage, humility, and love. We should never compromise its truth to please others, nor forget that the truth must always be communicated with love.