The letter to the Thessalonians continues with the same language of encouragement, but this part of the letter also warns against believing others who might deceive them into thinking that ”the last days” are near. The author tells them directly to not be “shaken out of their mind or alarmed” by an oral or written statement, and that this ”day of the Lord” is at hand. Rather, stay close to the Gospel! Live faithfully!
A beautiful prayer follows again, encouraging them to be strengthened in every good deed and word.
+ In contrast once again, Jesuscontinues those seven woes. Today he attacks the hypocritical practices that are so, because the observance of them made some think they are better than others; they paid attention to the tiniest of details in a most scrupulous way. Worse, they neglect the ”weightier things of the law” like judgment, mercy, and fidelity.
One commentary likened it to scrupulously fasting for 60 full minutes (not 59) before receiving communion, following the law to the last second. And this, some would do, without paying attention to more important things like preparing one’s heart and soul before receiving Christ the Bread of Life.
For that matter, the whole point of fasting is not to worry about the exact amount of minutes, as if the time in itself was so important. Rather, it is the increase of physical hunger, so that we could easily connect with spiritual hungers; and in receiving our Christ, could also experience our deepest thirsts and hungers being satisfied.
Once again, faith is more important than religion. In fact, good religion should lead one to deeper faith! And religion with little faith can and often does lead some to hypocrisy, criticism of others, and false sense of self.
