In a time when most of the world seems consumed with living life through social media, the first reading hits like a slap to the face! 

We’ll be fine without the likes. We’ll survive without the attention. Everything we need to focus on is in front and around us. 

Don’t get me wrong. It’s easier said than done....but it’s not impossible. Paul tells the Thessalonians that if we show love to our neighbors, and the feeling is reciprocated, then we’re fulfilling the will of God. 

Ignore the gossip. 
Sidestep the uncharitableness. 
Focus on being the best you and lifting others up too. 

What are some of the distractions in your life that cause you to have anxiety or stress instead of peace and tranquility?

How often do you compare yourself to others, especially on social media? How much better would your life be if you stopped that or at the very least, cut it down significantly? 

How can you practice minding your own affairs more, instead of comparing yourself to others or falling into the sin of gossip?

"Here I am Lord."

"All I am is Yours, Lord."

"I give it all to You, God

Cut your social media time in half today, and anytime you catch yourself comparing yourself to others or gossiping about someone, pray for them instead.

This Gospel is so bizarre. It’s filled with pride, jealousy, envy, vengeance, lust, avarice, vainglory. It’s even got some murder. I’m not a scripture scholar by any means, but what were the historical circumstances in that first century culture where this would take place? It just seems so outlandish. Here’s this government official hosting a party for the hoi-poloi of the area and this young woman comes in, does a dance which delights him so much he decides to give her anything she wants. That’s weird. Then, the mom talks her into getting this guy who ticked her off killed? I suppose up until that point it’s fairly reasonable. People are often motivated by desire, lust, they desire revenge.

But here’s where the story gets really pathetic: Herod knows John is a good guy, nay, a great guy. Herod’s always been intrigued by John the Baptist and frankly, a little impressed at his style. He knows he shouldn’t kill him. But, scripture tells us, because of what other people in the room might think of him, he kills him anyway. Ah. Now we get to the heart of the matter.

​Maybe this pericope isn’t so bizarre. Maybe it illustrates something we all struggle with on a daily basis. What will people think of me? Two men in this story teach us very important lessons with eternal consequences. They teach us by their example. Herod teaches us to consider what will people think of me? John the Baptist teaches us: what will God think of me?

What do you base your decisions on? What God will think of you or how people will think of you?

Who do you want to live like, Herod or John the Baptist? Why?

How can you follow John the Baptist's example in your own life?

"I will follow you."

"You come first."

​"Have mercy on me."

Today, put what God thinks of you first, not what other people think of you. Make God your priority and don't mind what other people think of you because of your faith. At the end of the day, take time to reflect on your day and notice how putting God first made a difference in how you acted throughout the day. 

Use the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again).

St. Paul's letter to the Thessalonians that we hear today is a powerful reading on many different levels. We hear so clearly Paul's love for the people. Paul shares the witness of how he lived among them – working night and day in order to provide for himself, and then giving all that he had to share the Gospel with him. In the words, you can hear a clear and real urgency from Paul of how important it is that the Word of God be shared with others and be taken hold of by them.

What struck me in praying through this reading today was the very end, where Paul gives thanks to God "unceasingly" because of the people who received the Word of God as it truly is and are now letting that Word work in them. 

To me, there are two levels to the power of this statement:

1. The Word of God is alive, and real, and longs to be received by us in an active way where it impacts and changes the way that we live our lives. The question for us is: have we allowed God to work in this way? Have we received the Word of God in its fullness, passed down in Scripture taught to us in and through the Church, in a way that is active. What this means is that we don't simply sit back, hearing God's word every once in a while and going about our day. Rather, we take God's Word up actively in our prayers and seek his will, living each day and each moment for his glory!

2. Once that word has become active, as it did for St. Paul, we then need to have the desire to share it so fervently that we can have the immense and clear gratitude of Paul when it is received. Sometimes, even when we believe in God and say we live our lives for him, we don't share his love in a way that shows that we are CONVINCED that he is real, that he is good, and that his love for each and every single person that has ever lived is worthy of his love and that God desires them to be with him for all of eternity. 

It's the feast of St. Augustine. So happy feast day. Let's celebrate him today by living as he lives. How is that? Augustine, early in his life, was far from God. While he was living in sin, though, he actively sought the truth. And what happened when he found it? Everything changed. Augustine became a great saint not because it was easy or natural to him, but because God's Word changed his life and he knew that it needed to be shared.

May you and I today take up the example of Augustine and Paul, encountering the Word of God in a way that changes our lives and compels us to go forth and share it. 

These questions are to be used to talk to God; have a conversation with the Lord about these questions and what is going on in your heart as you pray today.

​How has the Word of God impacted my life?

​How will I take up God's Word more actively in my prayer life and routine?

How am I sharing the Word of God?

In this step, you listen. Stop talking, let God speak to your heart. You may repeat one of these short phrases to focus your mind on the Lord.
​
"The Word of God is alive."

​"Take up the Word of God."

​"Encounter the Word of God."

In light of today's reading and your time spent in prayer with the Lord, what concrete action or actions will you take to let this encounter with the Lord bear fruit in you today?

Make a plan to incorporate the Word of God in your prayer life more, whether it is choosing a particular book of the Bible to read, or starting at the beginning, or joining a Bible study.