Bible Study on Imitating Paul's Hard Work

Welcome to our BibleWelcome to our Bible
StudyStudy
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Sunday in Ordinary Time CSunday in Ordinary Time C
November 14, 2010November 14, 2010
In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy
In aid of focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

11stst
reading: Malachi 3,19-20reading: Malachi 3,19-20
 19 Lo, the day is coming, blazing like an
oven, when all the proud and all evildoers
will be stubble, and the day that is coming
will set them on fire, leaving them neither
root nor branch, says the LORD of hosts.
20 But for you who fear my name, there
will arise the sun of justice with its healing
rays.

11stst
 19 Lo, the day is coming, blazing like an
oven, when all the proud and all evildoers
will be stubble, and the day that is coming
will set them on fire, leaving them neither
root nor branch, says the LORD of hosts.
20 But for you who fear my name, there
will arise the sun of justice with its healing
rays.
The focus is on the coming day of the Lord.

11stst
 19 Lo, the day is
coming, blazing like
an oven, when all
the proud and all
evildoers will be
stubble, and the day
that is coming will
set them on fire,
leaving them neither
root nor branch,
says the LORD of
hosts. 20 But for
you who fear my
name, there will
arise the sun of
justice with its
healing rays.
Commentary
 The book of Malachi is the last
prophetic book of the Hebrew Bible.
 It was written after the Exile.
 V.19 talks about the coming of the
Lord. It is described as a very hot day
(blazing like an oven).
 It eliminates all the proud and
evildoers.
 It sets them on fire, leaving them no
root or branch. They are totally
eliminated.
 V. 20 talks about the future of those
who fear God:
 The sun of justice will arise;
 They will be healed with its rays.

Reflection on the 1Reflection on the 1stst
readingreading
 We are about to end the liturgical year C and the
readings are about the end of the world, which is
associated with the coming of the Messiah.
 Terrible is the day of the Lord for evildoers.
 Consoling is the day of the Lord for those who
fear God.
 God will come to judge. No one will be spared.
 God will reward the just and punish the wicked.
 Are you just or an evildoer?
 If you have been a crook, reform now.

Resp. Ps 98:5-6, 7-8, 9Resp. Ps 98:5-6, 7-8, 9
 R. (cf. 9)R. (cf. 9) The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
5 Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,5 Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.with the harp and melodious song.
6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
 7 Let the sea and what fills it resound,7 Let the sea and what fills it resound,
the world and those who dwell in it;the world and those who dwell in it;
8 let the rivers clap their hands,8 let the rivers clap their hands,
the mountains shout with them for joy.the mountains shout with them for joy.
 9 Before the LORD, for he comes,9 Before the LORD, for he comes,
for he comes to rule the earth,for he comes to rule the earth,
He will rule the world with justiceHe will rule the world with justice
and the peoples with equity.and the peoples with equity.

Resp. Ps 98:5-6, 7-8, 9Resp. Ps 98:5-6, 7-8, 9
 R. (cf. 9)R. (cf. 9) The Lord comes to rule theThe Lord comes to rule the
earth with justice.earth with justice.
 5 Sing praise to the LORD with the5 Sing praise to the LORD with the
harp, with the harp and melodiousharp, with the harp and melodious
song.song.
6 With trumpets and the sound of the6 With trumpets and the sound of the
hornhorn
sing joyfully before the King, thesing joyfully before the King, the
LORD.LORD.
 7 Let the sea and what fills it resound,7 Let the sea and what fills it resound,
the world and those who dwell in it;the world and those who dwell in it;
8 let the rivers clap their hands,8 let the rivers clap their hands,
the mountains shout with them for joy.the mountains shout with them for joy.
 9 Before the LORD, for he comes,9 Before the LORD, for he comes,
for he comes to rule the earth,for he comes to rule the earth,
He will rule the world with justiceHe will rule the world with justice
and the peoples with equity.and the peoples with equity.
Commentary
Vv.5-6 exhort us to sing
praise to the Lord with musical
instruments (harp, trumpets
and horn).
Our singing must be joyful.
Vv.7-8 also exhort all creation,
not only human beings, to
praise God.
V.9 gives the reason for
praising God.
God is coming to rule us with
justice and equity.

Reflections on the PsalmReflections on the Psalm
 God’s coming must trigger rejoicing for the
righteous.
 As we await the day, we must sing joyfully with
musical instruments.
 As Christians, we do this best in our liturgies.
 We anticipate God’s vindication.
 When he comes, he will make us right and our
enemies wrong.

22ndnd
reading: 2 Thess 3,7-12reading: 2 Thess 3,7-12
 7 For you know how one must imitate us. For we did
not act in a disorderly way among you, 8 nor did we
eat food received free from anyone. On the contrary,
in toil and drudgery, night and day we worked, so as
not to burden any of you. 9 Not that we do not have
the right. Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as
a model for you, so that you might imitate us. 10 In
fact, when we were with you, we instructed you that
if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that
one eat. 11 We hear that some are conducting
themselves among you in a disorderly way, by not
keeping busy but minding the business of others.
12 Such people we instruct and urge in the Lord
Jesus Christ to work quietly and to eat their own
food.

22ndnd
 7 You know how one must imitate us. For we did not
act in a disorderly way among you, 8 nor did we eat
food received free from anyone. On the contrary, in
toil and drudgery, night and day we worked, so as
not to burden any of you. 9 Not that we do not have
the right. Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as
a model for you, so that you might imitate us. 10 In
fact, when we were with you, we instructed you that
if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that
one eat. 11 We hear that some are conducting
themselves among you in a disorderly way, by not
keeping busy but minding the business of others.
12 Such people we instruct and urge in the Lord
Jesus Christ to work quietly and to eat their own
food. The focus is on imitation of Paul (work with hands).

22ndnd
Need to imitate Paul
 7 You know how one must imitate us.
 For we did not act in a disorderly way among you, 8 nor did we eat
food received free from anyone.
 On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, night and day we worked, so as
not to burden any of you. 9 Not that we do not have the right.
 Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you,
so that you might imitate us.
 10 In fact, when we were with you, we instructed you that if anyone
was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat.
Paul’s observations
 11 We hear that some are conducting themselves among you
in a disorderly way, by not keeping busy but minding the
business of others.
Instruction of Paul
 12 Such people we instruct and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ
to work quietly and to eat their own food.
A simple outline!

22ndnd
 For we did not act in a disorderly way
among you, 8 nor did we eat food
received free from anyone.
 On the contrary, in toil and drudgery,
night and day we worked, so as not to
burden any of you. 9 Not that we do
not have the right.
 Rather, we wanted to present
ourselves as a model for you, so that
you might imitate us.
 10 In fact, when we were with you, we
instructed you that if anyone was
unwilling to work, neither should that
one eat.
 11 We hear that some are conducting
themselves among you in a disorderly
way, by not keeping busy but minding
the business of others.
Instruction of Paul
 12 Such people we instruct and urge in
the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly
and to eat their own food.
Commentary
 The context of the reading is the imminent
coming of the Lord.
 The Thessalonians believe that Jesus is
coming soon and they find it impractical to
start to work (in the field) or to continue
working.
 But since his coming is delayed, not as
soon as expected, those who do not have
resources rely on the efforts of others and
live like parasites.
 Here Paul, putting modesty aside, is in a
way self-conceited. He says “imitate us.”
We are a model to you.
 Paul has all the right to demand to be
imitated, invoking his efforts when he was
with them.
 He was not a visitor, not a burden. He took
care of his own needs. Vv.7-9
 V.10 recalls a past instruction not to allow
anyone to eat if he/she does not work with
his hands.
 Strong words! (parang bastos)

22ndnd
 For we did not act in a disorderly way
among you, 8 nor did we eat food
received free from anyone.
 On the contrary, in toil and drudgery,
night and day we worked, so as not to
burden any of you. 9 Not that we do
not have the right.
 Rather, we wanted to present
ourselves as a model for you, so that
you might imitate us.
 10 In fact, when we were with you, we
instructed you that if anyone was
unwilling to work, neither should that
one eat.
 11 We hear that some are conducting
themselves among you in a disorderly
way, by not keeping busy but minding
the business of others.
Instruction of Paul
 12 Such people we instruct and urge in
the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly
and to eat their own food.
 In v.11, Paul concretizes theIn v.11, Paul concretizes the
problem of the community:problem of the community:
 Some are (not all):Some are (not all):
 conducting in a disorderly wayconducting in a disorderly way
((nagkakalatnagkakalat))
 Not keeping busy (Not keeping busy (tamadtamad))
 But minding others’ businessBut minding others’ business
((nakikialam, mironnakikialam, miron), fouling up,), fouling up,
messing up, distractingmessing up, distracting
 In v.12, Paul focuses on theseIn v.12, Paul focuses on these
few troublemakers. He enjoinsfew troublemakers. He enjoins
them now to work and to earnthem now to work and to earn
their own bread.their own bread.

Reflections on the 2Reflections on the 2ndnd
readingreading
 We, who are still energetic, have no excuse for notWe, who are still energetic, have no excuse for not
working.working.
 The reading is clearly against parasitismThe reading is clearly against parasitism (too dependent on(too dependent on
others).others).
 He reminds the lazy ones to change their ways.He reminds the lazy ones to change their ways.
 There is truth in the old saying, “Idleness is the workshopThere is truth in the old saying, “Idleness is the workshop
of the devil.”of the devil.”
 Some people are troublemakers because they haveSome people are troublemakers because they have
nothing else to do.nothing else to do.
 But if they are given a task, if they find a job, they becomeBut if they are given a task, if they find a job, they become
more serious in life, they focus on how to be productivemore serious in life, they focus on how to be productive
with their money, time and resources, they stopwith their money, time and resources, they stop
destructive criticisms, fault-findings and makingdestructive criticisms, fault-findings and making
unnecessary remarks.unnecessary remarks.
 If Jesus comes again, will he find you working?If Jesus comes again, will he find you working?

Gospel reading: Luke 21,5-19Gospel reading: Luke 21,5-19
 5 While some people were speaking about how
the temple was adorned with costly stones and
votive offerings, he said, 6 "All that you see
here-- the days will come when there will not be
left a stone upon another stone that will not be
thrown down." 7 Then they asked him, "Teacher,
when will this happen? And what sign will there
be when all these things are about to happen?" 8
He answered, "See that you not be deceived, for
many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,'
and 'The time has come.' Do not follow them! 9
When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not
be terrified; for such things must happen first, but
it will not immediately be the end."

 10 Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against
nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will
be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from
place to place; and awesome sights and mighty
signs will come from the sky. 12 "Before all this
happens, however, they will seize and persecute
you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and
to prisons, and they will have you led before kings
and governors because of my name. 13 It will lead
to your giving testimony. 14 Remember, you are not
to prepare your defense beforehand, 15 for I myself
shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your
adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. 16
You will even be handed over by parents, brothers,
relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you
to death. 17 You will be hated by all because of my
name, 18 but not a hair on your head will be
destroyed. 19 By your perseverance you will secure
your lives.

The Temple: well built, but will
be destroyed
5 While some people were
speaking about how the
temple was adorned with
costly stones and votive
offerings, he said, 6 "All that
you see here-- the days will
come when there will not be
left a stone upon another
stone that will not be thrown
down."
Questions
7 Then they asked him, "Teacher,
when will this happen? And
what sign will there be when all
these things are about to
happen?"
Commentary
 In vv.5-6, Jesus is
somewhat kill joy.
 Imagine that while people
are appreciating the
beautiful architecture and
ornaments of the Temple,
Jesus predicts of its
destruction. Terrible!
 In v.7, surprisingly,
people seem to be
resigned.
 They ask when and what
the signs are.
Gospel reading: Luke 21,5-19Gospel reading: Luke 21,5-19

 In v. 8, Christians should
be discerning whom to
listen to.
 Many will falsely claim they
are the Messiah. They
should be rejected.
 In v.9, terrible are the
signs on earth, but Jesus
says “Don’t be terrified.”
 But who cannot be terrified
by wars and insurrections
(revolutions)? What did
Jesus mean?
 Shall we be scared only by
the end, not by the signs?
 Warning: Don’t be
misled.
 8 He answered, "See that
you not be deceived, for
many will come in my
name, saying, 'I am he,'
and 'The time has come.'
Do not follow them!
 Terrestial signs: Wars
 9 When you hear of wars
and insurrections, do not
be terrified; for such things
must happen first, but it
will not immediately be the
end.“10 Then he said to
them, "Nation will rise
against nation, and
kingdom against kingdom.

Terrestial signs:
catastrophes
11 There will be powerful
earthquakes, famines,
and plagues from
place to place;
Heavenly signs
and awesome sights and
mighty signs will come
from the sky.
 In v. 11, again this is scary.
Who can live normally under
this situation?
 It can drive you to go nuts.
 We have seen samples of
these in the movies. How
much more when we are
personally involved?
 Learn from the survivors of
volcanic eruptions,
landslides, earthquakes and
tsunami.

Terrestial signs:
catastrophes
11 There will be powerful
earthquakes, famines,
and plagues from place to
place;
Heavenly signs
and awesome sights and
mighty signs will come
from the sky.
 In v. 11, again this is scary.
Who can live normally
under this situation?
 It can drive you to go nuts.
 We have seen samples of
these in the movies. How
much more when we are
personally involved and our
lives threatened?
 Learn from the survivors of
volcanic eruptions,
hurricanes, landslides,
earthquakes and tsunami.

Persecutions by people,
relatives and friends
12 "Before all this happens,
however, they will seize and
persecute you, they will hand
you over to the synagogues
and to prisons, and they will
have you led before kings and
governors because of my
name. 13 It will lead to your
giving testimony. 14
Remember, you are not to
prepare your defense
beforehand, 15 for I myself
shall give you a wisdom in
speaking that all your
adversaries will be powerless
to resist or refute.
16 You will even be handed over
by parents, brothers, relatives,
and friends, and they will put
some of you to death. 17 You
will be hated by all because of
my name,
 In v.12, Christians will be
persecuted. They will be
counted as criminals.
 They will be investigated in
the courts (what an
inconvenience! Disruption of
normal life.)
 Vv. 13-14 contain a
challenge: not to lose focus.
 We are bound to speak
clearly about Jesus (to give
testimony).
 In v.16, even our loved ones
will betray us. Nothing seems
to be right on the last day.
 In v.17, Jesus gives the
reason, like in v.12

 In v.12, Christians will be
persecuted. They will be
counted as criminals.
 They will be investigated in the
courts (what an inconvenience!
Disruption of normal life.)
 Vv. 13-14 contain a challenge:
not to lose focus.
 We are bound to speak clearly
about Jesus (to give testimony).
 In v.16, even our loved ones
will betray us. Nothing seems
to be right on the last day.
 In v.17, Jesus gives the
reason, like in v.12
 Persecutions by people,
relatives and friends
 12 "Before all this happens,
however, they will seize and
persecute you, they will hand
you over to the synagogues
and to prisons, and they will
have you led before kings and
governors because of my
name. 13 It will lead to your
giving testimony. 14
Remember, you are not to
prepare your defense
beforehand, 15 for I myself
shall give you a wisdom in
speaking that all your
adversaries will be powerless
to resist or refute.
 16 You will even be handed
over by parents, brothers,
relatives, and friends, and
they will put some of you to
death. 17 You will be hated
by all because of my name,

Jesus’ promise
18 but not a hair on your
head will be
destroyed.
Need to persevere
19 By your perseverance
you will secure your
lives.
 In v.18, Jesus assures us of
our salvation. No harm will
be done unto us if we do
good. Really?
 The gospel writer has to
exaggerate to drive to a
point.
 In v.19, Yes, perseverance
spells salvation according to
this verse.
 What perseverance?
 Perseverance in doing good,
in giving witness,
perseverance in faith.
The focus is on perseverance at end times.

Reflections on the gospel readingReflections on the gospel reading
 If we are faithful to Christ, we will have strength to go on noIf we are faithful to Christ, we will have strength to go on no
matter what.matter what.
 Disasters may threaten our lives. They disrupt our activities.Disasters may threaten our lives. They disrupt our activities.
 As Christians, we should interpret these portentous eventsAs Christians, we should interpret these portentous events
(crises) as opportunities to show our best, who we really are(crises) as opportunities to show our best, who we really are
(persevering, charitable, just, sport, happy to share God’s pain).(persevering, charitable, just, sport, happy to share God’s pain).
 It is in these difficult moments that we can best witness toIt is in these difficult moments that we can best witness to
our faith.our faith.
 When falsely accused, let it be. It is better to die a martyr’sWhen falsely accused, let it be. It is better to die a martyr’s
death than to pass death unto othersdeath than to pass death unto others (putting the blame on(putting the blame on
others).others).
 Anyway God will punish the evildoer.Anyway God will punish the evildoer.

Tying the 3 readings and the PsalmTying the 3 readings and the Psalm
 The day of the Lord will bring about the sun of justice
(healing) to those who fear the name of the Lord. (1st
reading)
 The psalm encourages us to celebrate for God is coming
to administer justice.
 Even with the imminent coming of the Lord, let us keep
working. (2nd
reading)
 The gospel reading portrays what will happen before the
second coming of the Lord. Christians should persevere
doing God’s work.

How to develop your homily / sharingHow to develop your homily / sharing
 If you know that Jesus is coming, would you stopIf you know that Jesus is coming, would you stop
working?working?
 No, you should keep on working, according toNo, you should keep on working, according to
St. Paul.St. Paul.
 TheThe second readingsecond reading is against any form ofis against any form of
voluntary unemployment, any form of idleness,voluntary unemployment, any form of idleness,
even for just a second.even for just a second.
 Why? So that you will not become a parasite.Why? So that you will not become a parasite.
You never know when Jesus is coming. It can beYou never know when Jesus is coming. It can be
delayed for a long time.delayed for a long time.
 What a waste of time, talent and energy, if youWhat a waste of time, talent and energy, if you
don’t work.don’t work.
 You also prolong the agony of others.You also prolong the agony of others.

 Another reason: to avoid gossip (Another reason: to avoid gossip (tsismistsismis), minding other), minding other
people’s business.people’s business.
 If we are busy, we will not have time to destroy otherIf we are busy, we will not have time to destroy other
people.people.
 The little hurts that we have will have a little impact onThe little hurts that we have will have a little impact on
us.us.
 We will always be looking forward to the next event.We will always be looking forward to the next event.
 Our energies will be spent for the more productiveOur energies will be spent for the more productive
activities, than licking our wounds, like a defeated dog.activities, than licking our wounds, like a defeated dog.

 TheThe gospel readinggospel reading teaches us that in the end of times,teaches us that in the end of times,
as we will be tested by many frightening events, weas we will be tested by many frightening events, we
should persevere in doing good works.should persevere in doing good works.
 We continue our mission to testify to Jesus even if itWe continue our mission to testify to Jesus even if it
means persecution by those who are close to us.means persecution by those who are close to us.
 The gospel reading encourages suffering Christians,
those who are victimized by bigotry to persevere in faith.
 It is an opportune time to prove our worth before the
Lord and others.
 Our patience will be tested, including our heroism, loyalty
and commitment to him.
 It prepares us, Christians, to face death, with honor and
dignity (not cowardice).

 The first reading speaks of the reward of the just and the
punishment of the evildoers.
 The evildoers will be uprooted. They will wither and die,
while the just will see sunshine that will heal their
wounds.
 In the end of times, God exercises justice to all peoples
depending on how well they have made use of their time,
talents and energy.
 Jewish people dedicate 6 days a week to serious work,
to earn a living.
 One day is reserved to have quality time with their
families (recreation) and the Lord (worship).

 Many catholics spend the whole day in the
church (church premises) or going from one church to
another, abandoning work.
 Strange behavior and way of worshipping!
 No drive to find a job and be productive!
 In the US and in some other countries, even theIn the US and in some other countries, even the
senior citizens still worksenior citizens still work in the shopping malls andin the shopping malls and
fast food chains.fast food chains.
 To earn our bread, we must sweat it out.To earn our bread, we must sweat it out.

 TheThe eucharisteucharist assures us that on the last day weassures us that on the last day we
will be saved.will be saved.
 Participation in theParticipation in the eucharisteucharist is the Christian wayis the Christian way
of preparing for the coming of the Lord.of preparing for the coming of the Lord.
 In theIn the eucharisteucharist, we offer our diligence, we offer, we offer our diligence, we offer
the works of our hands, disappointments andthe works of our hands, disappointments and
fatigue.fatigue.
 In theIn the eucharisteucharist, we reap the fruits of our labor., we reap the fruits of our labor.
 Happy are we when God finds us doing andHappy are we when God finds us doing and
celebrating our faith.celebrating our faith.

Our Context of Sin and GraceOur Context of Sin and Grace
 Lazy, acting like busy
bodies, unruly
 Parasitism
 Playing when the boss is
away
 Has no self-respect as a
worker
 Scrambling to do
something when the boss
is coming (hypocrite and
dishonest worker)
 No sense of the end
 Irresponsible, does not
prepare for any eventuality
 Millenniarism
 Hardworking
 Persevering
 Does not go away when
the going gets rough
 Faithful, loyal, focused
 Ability to take blames, the
brunt
 Hopes for God’s justice
and vindication at the end
 Accepts temporariness of
all

Suggested SongsSuggested Songs
 ServiceService
 Biyayang Mula Sa ‘Yo (offertory)Biyayang Mula Sa ‘Yo (offertory)
 http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?vwww.youtube.com/watch?v==NxbmC_LVJrQNxbmC_LVJrQ
 Come, Build My ChurchCome, Build My Church
 http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?vwww.youtube.com/watch?v==dZugkzkgjDkdZugkzkgjDk
 Lord, Here I amLord, Here I am
 http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?vwww.youtube.com/watch?v=ol4Y79J3Kp8=ol4Y79J3Kp8

Bible Study on Imitating Paul's Hard Work

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Bible Study on Imitating Paul's Hard Work