2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, 14-17
Psalm 96:10-13
Matthew 23:23-26
I do not know whether the first reading was cut just to make it short, or if there was some concern about people misunderstanding its contents, but the whole middle of the reading is missing, and we cannot understand the rest without the middle. St. Paul is talking about the Antichrist. He says that the Thessalonians should not be disturbed by rumors about the coming of Christ because the Antichrist has not shown up yet, and he has to come first. St. Paul says that the Antichrist will come, and then Jesus Christ will come and defeat him. There is no question about who will win in the end, but it has to look first like the Antichrist is winning.
Why? Because, St. Paul says, the Antichrist will come and lie to the world and all the people who do not love the truth will believe the lies. These people do not love the truth because the truth says that what they do with their lives is wrong, and they would rather keep approving of what is wrong that admit to what is true. So they choose lies that permit them to do what they want rather than be limited to the truth. We know what that is all about. People would rather approve of homosexuality than admit the obvious truth that a man and a woman are meant for each other in a way that a man and a man are not. People would rather approve of greed than admit the obvious truth that poor people are not just another thing to use in the pursuit of money.
But the Thessalonians have believed the truth so they will be made holy by the Holy Spirit so that they can be saved. To this end, God has called them through the preaching of the Gospel to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. What about you then? Has God called you through the preaching of the Gospel to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ? If so, then you have to drop the lies, believe the truth, change your life, and be saved. This is the reasonable response. On the one hand, we have the glory of Jesus Christ. On the other hand, we have whatever sin it is that is holding us down. We have to pick. If we pick the truth, the Holy Spirit will give us the power to live it.
Daily Homilies
