August 28, 2023, Monday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time-A ST AUGUSTINE, BISHOP, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 8-10
Psalm 149
Matthew 23:13-22
Calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope… 1 Thes. 1:3
Lord, your faithful missionary, Paul, hit a home run in Thessalonica. He found a Greek, pagan culture and with the power and grace of the Holy Spirit turned them to faith. These people bore much fruit and became a model community for all time. St. Paul admires their work, labor, and endurance in embracing the virtues of faith, hope, and love. Despite much opposition, many converts to faith in you were made. Lord, I pray for the passion and zeal of St. Paul to come upon us today. May our faith community imitate the conviction of the Thessalonians. We so need the blessings of your grace, the inspiration of your Holy Spirit and the fire of your love in our parish now. “Let the high praises of God be in our throats.” (Ps. 149) Lord, remove any apathy, doubt, or impatience from us. Plant the seeds of faith, love and hope in our hearts. We can then bear fruit for your kingdom in our time, in our parish and in our families. St. Augustine, pray for us. Amen.