Pentecost +24 Sunday – C3

Pentecost +24 Sunday – C3

Years C
2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17

A key element of our faith and lack thereof is found in the issue of tradition. Just what was the tradition that was taught by Paul? How large or small was it?

Is the tradition of Paul that of inclusion of all into one community? Was it focused on details of an apocalypse? Did it have to do with rules and regulations about who could talk and when and where? Perhaps it was simply encouragement to not connect the present with the future too tightly because our projections would soon overtake us and lead to an idolatry of now that would keep us from a better tomorrow?

If Paul's tradition was most focused on Jesus' glory of connection with G*D that was also available to become our glory, then we have a wonderful freedom to live together as disciples, adding glory to glory.

If Paul's tradition was more focused on control of disciples to keep them from harm's way, thus to constrain them from straying from a given straight-and-narrow, then we have a much stricter path to tread.

What do you see Paul's tradition to be?

= = = = = = =

eternal comfort
good hope
come our way unbidden
rise up from within
for no good reason

so comforted
so strengthened
these energies
are transformed
to word and work