This is the will of God

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Ps 97 Rejoice in the Lord, you just; Matthew25:1-13

Again we turn our attention to the first reading today. St. Paul continues his address to the young and vibrant community of Thessalonica.

He continues to seek to inspire and motivate.

Boy, don't we need this daily. Don't we need to be motivated and inspired on a regular basis. Could we not use a boost, and perhaps a little more than just a c up of coffee or a 5 hour energy drink.

St. Paul once again cuts through the unnecessary and zeroes in on the one thing that is essential:

"we earnestly ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that, as you received from us how you should conduct yourselves to please God...This is the will of God, your holiness."

There it is, the center and heart of the entire letter. This is the will of God, your holiness. Conduct yourselves to please God.

There are a lot of people pleasers in the world. They seek to displease no one. For the most part they are a little flighty and annoying.

But how many people do yo know seek to please God and stand on that no matter the circumstances. These people are also annoying sometimes, but it is the best kind of annoyance. We should all be annoying in this way.

Holiness awaits us all. IT is both an invitation to a new life but also an exhortation to live the whole life differently.

This is what makes a saint a saint. They do the same thing we do, but they do it a little differently.
Holiness means to be different, to be unlike the rest.

In the gospel, the wise ones were those that came prepared. They were holy. Holiness demands that we stay awake, be alert. Holiness also is that which keeps us alert and attentive.

It is God's will for us.

Today, be holy, be different, be unlike the rest. Stand out from the crowd, let them see you please God in the way you conduct yourself.

Don't wait to be motivated, but let your life motivate others.
This is holiness!

St. Joan Elizabeth Mary Lucy Bichier pray for us