As I read the lessons for this week, the first portion of Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, in particular the second verse, stopped me: “We always thank God for all of you when we mention you constantly in our prayers” (1 Th 1.2). Yes, the story of Moses only being given a glimpse of God’s glory is intriguing. And the question about paying taxes is tempting—although perhaps a bit dangerous—to address. But, given the video that many of us saw last week, with Denzel Washington exhorting us to say “Thank you”, I was curious about Paul’s “giving thanks” for the Thessalonians. And then I remembered that Paul often starts his letters with some variation of “I give thanks . . .”. My curiosity grew: "Why does Paul give thanks for his letter recipients?

So I used my spiffy Bible Study program to do a word search on “thanks” in Paul’s letters! It was an enjoyable (well, I am a geek!)—it was an enjoyable as well as enlightening exercise! I won’t subject you to all of the verses—all of the occurrences of various versions of “thanks”—but a summary I found to be helpful.

In our lectionary cycle, we just finished a series of readings from the letter to the Philippians. Paul was thankful for them “because of the way [they had] been my partners in the ministry of the gospel” (1.3, 5).
The recipients of the letters to the Ephesians and the Colossians occasioned “thanks” because of their “faith in Christ and love for all God’s people” (Ep 1.15, 16; Co 1.3).
For the Corinthian Christians—as argumentative as they were about whose spiritual gifts were best—Paul gives thanks for the grace and those very “gifts” that they were given (1 Co 1.4; 2 Co 1.11). Paul also gives thanks for the congregation’s generosity in giving support for the Christians in Jerusalem (9.11-12).
The Roman Christians were “thanksgiving-worthy” because the “news of their faithfulness was spread around” (1.8); they were obedient to the teachings of Christianity (6.17); and (some of them) had risked their necks for Paul’s sake (16.4).
And, as we heard this morning, Paul gave thanks for the Thessalonians Christians “because we remember your work that comes from faith, your effort that comes from love, and your perseverance that comes from hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (v 2, 3).

So, in summary, what were the qualities of the congregations that made Paul so grateful? They engaged in common/collegial ministry (Ph 1.3, 5). They were connected, by love, with other Christians (Ep 1.15, Co 1.3). They used their gifts for common ministry and mission (1 Co 1.4; 2 Co 1.11). They gave generously in support of others in need (2 Co 9.11-12). They were known beyond their walls (Rm 1.8). They kept to the teachings of the gospel (Rm 6.17). They were willing to take risks for the sake of the gospel (Rm 16.4).

That’s a powerful list! No wonder Paul was grateful for the Christians in, and the work of, those congregations! And I found myself pondering this week: “If Paul was writing a letter to the ‘Congregation of the Good Sheep’ in Centennial . . . for what would he be giving thanks?”. I ask you to sit with that question for a moment.

I’ve sat with it . . . and Paul’s list all week. And I think—or at least I hope—Paul would write something like: “From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will. To the holy and faithful people in Christ Jesus in Centennial, CO. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. We always thank God for all of you when we mention you constantly in our prayers.”

“You are engaged in common/collegial ministry!” Your Congregational Care Team, your Prayer Chain, your Men’s Group, your Faith Club, your musicians . . . and more. They all minister together to folks in the congregation, providing support and fellowship! Your Altar Guild, your lectors, your eucharistic visitors . . . They engage in the gifts that God has given the individual members for the good of all.
“You are connected, by love, with other Christians!” There are folks in this congregation who are engaged, in numerous ways, with Christians from other congregations, other denominations, disregarding localized affiliation, because of their common love for Christ and the Church.
“You use your gifts for common ministry and mission!” Members of Good Shepherd are involved in diocesan and national ministries . . . working together for the larger, but common, good.
“You give generously in support of others in need.” Whether it is funding showers and laundry at a local day-shelter, or backpacks for children affected by homelessness, or clothing and other supplies for folks who are living on the streets, the Good Sheep recognize the needs of others and strive to address them.

“You are known beyond your walls.” Folks in the neighborhood remember the Pumpkin Patch Music with a Mission and the Living Nativity during COVID. Good Shepherd has been, but must continue to be, a congregation that isn’t inwardly focused, but brings its gifts—all of them— to bear for the good of the community.
That said, “your walls” carry a message beyond the property boundaries. The use of your building, by groups as diverse as the Columbine Genealogical Society to the Daughters of the American Revolution, to the New Beginnings AA group, to the South Suburban Music Teachers Association . . . and more . . . They all say that “Good Shepherd is known beyond your walls!”
“You keep to the teachings of the gospel.” Good Shepherd’s Christian formation—from our youngest members to the most “seasoned”—emphasizes knowledge of, and commitment to, the values embodied in our common baptismal covenant. And that translates into:
“You are willing to take risks for the sake of the gospel.” Good Shepherd has been challenged by issues that have wracked our society and our Church. You have said, “All are welcome!”, respecting the dignity of all and witnessing to the inclusive love of Christ, helping re-define “Christianity” in the minds of many.

Dang! Paul would have a letter to write to us, giving thanks!

The thing is, however, while Paul did give thanks for the work—the presence of God—in the congregations . . . he also challenged them. He wrote of corrections that needed to be made. He wrote “encouraging words” in tough situations. He exhorted congregations to continue steadfastly . . . and to do more. As we heard in our reading from first Thessalonians, Paul would remember OUR “work that comes from faith, [our] effort that comes from love, and [our] perseverance that comes from hope in our Lord Jesus Christ”. There’s no resting our on laurels.

As Denzel Washington said, so emphatically, in the video we saw last week, “Thank God in advance for what’s already yours!” We have so much for which we can give thanks; it’s already ours! Look at what we have, we’ve been doing! But it’s ours to steward, not to hoard. It’s ours to extend, to expand. It’s ours, but it’s not ours; it’s God’s gift to us as stewards.

As I mentioned at the outset, this issue has been on my mind all week, and it has been couched in a prayer from St. Ignatius that forms part of my morning devotions :

Take, Lord . . . all that I have and possess. You have given all to me. To You, O Lord, I return it all. All is yours; dispose of it wholly according to Your will. Give me Your love and Your grace, for this is enough for me. For with these I am rich enough and desire nothing more.

All is God’s. God has given all that we have to us. And we are bid to offer it up for God’s use through us. Our recognition of our “giftedness” translates into our giving.

How we give is always the decision before us. As one commentator suggested, referring to our gospel lesson about giving to Caesar and God: “Figuring out our taxes is easy; figuring out what is God’s is more challenging.”

Well, in the end, it all belongs to God.

Thanks be to God!