This week the seasons begin to change, about midpoint between the summer solstice and autumn equinox. Many students return to school and liturgically we are in the 21st of 34 weeks of "Ordinary Time".

Perhaps it is not all so ordinary, we begin this week to read the earliest manuscript of the New Testament, the First Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians. This book is at least 20 years older than the first gospel.

Paul’s letter manifests the pastoral concern very different from that of the Pharisees with whom he had once been both member and powerful leader.

In this brief section from Paul’s letter we see a profound yet simple theology which emphasizes the great virtues of faith, hope, and love, the principle characteristics of authentic Christian life. Paul commends his converts for the way in which they were proving their faith, laboring in love, and showing constancy of hope in Jesus Christ.

After 20 centuries we are called to emulate the Thessalonians who were among the first to hear and to respond to the Good News. Times have changed through those centuries, but not the essence of Christian living.

First is faith, a gift from God which we cannot merit. All depends on faith which is not mere intellectual assent but cooperation of the will. Faith must shape our conduct by which we look to God as the source of life and holiness.

Second is hope, a confident trust that God loves us unconditionally and will lead us in our journey to the fullness of life which he has planned for us. The most effective way to travel that journey and discover the unfolding of God’s plan is in keeping a daily journal.

Third is love, not the least but the greatest, the one alone that will endure because it must be the motive and the guiding force in all we are and do in relationship to God and one another.