Paul in Thessaloniki

Humans are curious creatures. He likes to find out about the circumstances of famous people’s success or various events. This is wise, because it enables him to learn and improve the quality of his life. The evangelization mission in Thessaloniki was highly successful. In fact, those who believed became a model for all people in Macedonia and Achaea, according to Paul. What was the reason for this success? Of course, it was God’s grace, but it was also down to the commitment of the evangelizers. Paul characterizes this commitment as follows: ‘We loved you so much that we wanted to give you not only God’s gospel, but our lives too. You have become so dear to us.’

We can say that the cause of success in Thessaloniki was the evangelizers’ great love. A preacher of the gospel who does not love those to whom he preaches will never succeed. No one will accept his message. Paul and his co-workers were filled with love. Their love was genuine and sincere. They spoke not to please men, but God. This means that they were not afraid to speak the truth, even if it was difficult. However, it was their love that led to them being accepted as words that lead to true life.

During a Lenten sermon in Notre Dame, Paris, French Jesuit Michel Rickets said something interesting: ‘Love that is needed for everything is not enough for everything…’ By this, he meant that, in order to do its constructive work in this world and effectively improve a person, love must move all human abilities, He Gave Us an Example, 10th edition, p. 62). The world expects us to preach Christ’s gospel to it, which can remedy many of the problems that plague it. If we learn from the cause of evangelistic success in Thessaloniki and begin to love with a love that stirs up all our abilities, then we will surely fulfil the hope that the world places in us.