Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you,—¨
so that you might imitate us.

Let’s focus today on imitating Christ and his Apostles. Let’s focus on doing what St. Paul asks, that we follow his model.

St. Paul, writing to the Thessalonians holds himself out as a model for their lives.

Paul took Jesus’ words seriously and wanted his readers to do so as well.

By the time Paul had written these letters he had already faced some stiff opposition.

The Jewish communities were out to get him. The secular authorities were watchful.

Paul wrote to the Thessalonians during his second missionary journey, sometime around the year 50. He would have one more missionary journey before his final return to Jerusalem in 58. From that point onward he would be subjected to trial and remanded to Rome for a final trial, being martyred in 67.

Facing all that, Paul didn’t prepare his defense. Rather he listened to Jesus:

I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking—¨
that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.

Even on his journey to Rome as a prisoner, Paul brought people to the faith. Paul stayed focused on his mission.

Brothers and sisters,

In the span of thirty-four years Jesus’ work and words, the Christian faith, had spread from Jerusalem, throughout Asia Minor and to Europe. Rome and Athens had heard the name of Jesus.

Stephen and James had been martyred.

While all this was occurring, everything Jesus said would occur happened as well: wars and insurrections, earthquakes, famines, plagues, and awesome sights and mighty signs from the sky.

So thinking of Paul’s behavior, his model, and his instruction to the Churches we should ask ourselves: Was Paul and the Church concerned about the things that were going on in the world? The things Jesus said would happen around and to His followers?

The simple answer is no.

Of course there were those in the Churches who looked to the skies, at governments, at the signs and thought – as well as preached – that the end was at hand. They tried to lead people astray by focusing on the signs rather than on their job. Their job – bringing all to heaven through Jesus Christ.

Paul had to do a lot of letter writing to correct those false prophets; to take the focus off the signs and put it back on Jesus.

The Church, and all those in union with Her ignored the signs, the blowing of the winds which change each day. Instead, the Church kept its sole focus on getting its eternal work done.

This is key for us as Christians.

Jesus told us to render onto Caesar. He did not instruct us to care about which Caesar was in charge.

We know that taxes will come and go. Wars will come and go. Terrorists will come and go. Presidents and town councils will come and go. We could live in an Islamic state, a secular state, a communist state, or under a dictator. Regardless of the government, of the policy, or of the —threat level—, it is incumbent upon us to witness one message. Salvation is through Jesus Christ.

Jesus’ message is not one of travail or of pain. In mentioning the things that would occur Jesus was not acting as a soothsayer. His key message is this:

—You will be hated by all because of my name,—¨
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.—¨
By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

The facts and circumstance of the world are quite secondary to the state of our eternal soul, and the accomplishment of our mission. Our lives are secured in the promise of heaven.

By imitating Jesus and His apostles, by following the lesson Paul teaches we clearly recognize that fact.

My friends,

In his letter to the Ephesians Paul clearly states:

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call,
one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all.

We worship, adore and proclaim God, and by our baptism we are joined to proclaiming our hope. Paul further tells us:

And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists,
some pastors and teachers,
to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ

Therefore, I tell you, do not look to the skies in wonder, with worry or trepidation. Do not look to politicians, the government, or soothsayers for salvation. Do not worry. God is with us. Instead get to work. We have been equipped. Build up the Body of Christ.

Amen.