Johannine Hours           1 Thessalonians 5:12-22            May 1996
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1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 

[The "Johannine hours" are meant as a way of seeking God in silence
and prayer in the midst of our daily life. During the course of a
day, take a moment to read the Bible passage with the short
commentary and to reflect on the questions which follow.
Afterwards, a small group people can meet to share what they have
discovered and perhaps for a time of prayer.] 

At Salonika (Thessalonia in ancient Greece), St. Paul had founded
one of the first Christian communities in Europe (see Acts chapter
17). He spent some time with this young Church, then he carried on
preaching the Gospel in other towns in Greece. From Athens, mindful
of the believers he had left at Salonika, he sent one of his
co-workers, Timothy, to encourage them and to take them a letter. 

Towards the end of his letter, Paul gives very simple and practical
instructions for the life of a Christian community. First of all,
he speaks of "those who work so hard among you" (v. 12), that's to
say, those who have a ministry, who are involved in the Church.
Paul asks for them to be shown kind affection and to be held in
esteem. For he knows that those who do something are also those who
are the most vulnerable to criticism and misinterpretation. 

All believers are called to watch over one another in order to
avoid evil and encourage all that is good (vv. 14-15). It can even
be necessary to "admonish" someone, that's to say, to seek to enter
into dialogue with them (but with them alone, between the two of
you, says Jesus, cf. Mt 18:15) to make something clear. The aim is
to encourage, to support, to help one another overcome hesitations.

"Aim at what is best" (v. 15) -- it is joy and thankfulness that
keep us on the right path. And the force behind them is the Holy
Spirit, like a fire which must not be smothered (v. 16-19). We
don't know very well how, at the time of St. Paul, the "gift of
prophecy" (v. 20) was exercised. But certainly the Holy Spirit
ceaselessly inspires us, and we should not be afraid to express an
intuition that we have and to live it out, even at the risk of
making mistakes. Paul says clearly that it's always necessary to
"put everything to the test", in consultation with others. 

      What elements of the life of this ancient Christian community
      are present in our local church communities? 
      What things do we need to look at again or renew, in the
      light of these words of St. Paul? 
      Which expressions in this Bible passage remind me of words of
      Jesus? How does the community life of Christians reflect
      something of the life of Christ? 

"Johannine Hours" - 06/96 - ©71250 Taizé-Community, France.
taize@cpe.ipl.fr 



12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among
you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 

13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.
Live in peace with each other. 

14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage
the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 

15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try
to be kind to each other and to everyone else. 

16 Be joyful always; 

17 pray continually; 

18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you
in Christ Jesus. 

19 Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 

20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 

21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 

22 Avoid every kind of evil. 

(1 Thessalonians 5:12-22) 





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