GOD AT WORK IN YOU WHO BELIEVE

August 27, 2025 – Wednesday, Memorial of St. Monica

Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082725.cfm)

Our appearance can be deceiving. What we see could merely be a façade. Facial make-up is used to hide blemishes and enhance our facial appearance. The idiomatic expression “sugar coating” is an attempt to make something better or less unpleasant.

However, when this becomes an attitude of the heart, a person’s way of relating with others, such attitude leads us to hypocrisy. No matter how one could look so nice and beautiful. One could appear stunning and mesmerizing to the human senses. When appearance only covers the inside, we remain shallow and hollow within.

This is what Jesus criticized so much about those who loved to appear so well before others, yet, corrupt and evil in their very hearts. Jesus compared them like the “whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth.”

The words of Jesus expressed contempt that also called for change and renewal among these kind of hearts.

However, this has been contrasted to what Paul showed in all his honesty and kindness as an apostle of the Gospel. Paul who was transformed by the grace of Christ became a father and a mentor of the faith to the Thessalonians.

Through the apostle Paul and his companions’ toil and drudgery, they have worked hard to earn their living while preaching the Gospel. They have done it in order not to burden the people to support them in their needs. The generosity in their hearts brought so much fruits in the life of the people.

Indeed, the Thessalonians were converted to Christ and were growing in their faith. And Paul affirmed how God was at work in them who believed in Christ. The life of Paul and his companions was straightforward and honest. Similarly, the Christian Community in Thessalonians displayed no sugar-coating or pretensions in their lives. They were willing to hear the word of God. They sought to be transformed by the grace of the Lord. This made the relationship among them nourishing.

We realize that when the heart is open, humble, and willing to be touched by the Word of God, the grace of the Lord works in us. The grace of the Lord transforms us. This is manifested in the quality of our relationship with one another. Appearance does not matter anymore because the heart is anchored in Christ. Yet, those hearts that remained pretentious and selfish make their relationship toxic and destructive.

And so we pray and ask God’s grace, “Lord, make my heart sincere and humble, honest and free from pretensions. Grant me the grace to change from my sinful ways and selfish tendencies.” Hinaut pa.