1 Thessalonians: Rejoice Always!
Monday, November 17, 2025
As frequently happens with the Noontimes a theme is re-cycled to us; today it is the message that we are to rejoice in all circumstances – even when events indicate that we ought to be mourning. A few weeks ago we visited the fifth chapter of this letter (Pray Without Ceasing). Today a portion of Chapter 1 serves as the second Mass reading in which Paul complements his followers in Thessalonica for their fidelity even through dark times, receiving the word in great affliction, with joy from the Holy Spirit, so that you became a model for all the believers. It is all too easy to turn away from God when dark events crush in on us. And the joy we experience can be likewise all so rewarding when we turn to God when in the midst of suffering.
Recently an essay by James Martin, S.J. was published in AMERICA magazine and we may want to spend time reflecting on this oldest of books in the New Testament. The photograph on today’s post is from that article and I encourage you to spend with it today. We always welcome any word that shows us how to convert our mourning into dancing; we look for any guideposts that help us to Rejoice Always! https://www.americamagazine.org/from-our-archives/2011/10/03/rejoice-always/
A re-post from October 23, 2011.
Images from: https://www.americamagazine.org/from-our-archives/2011/10/03/rejoice-always/
The Noontimes 