You build me up...

Sometimes when you hear something from Scripture it just grabs you, strikes you, makes you want to hear it again. You may have read it many times before or even heard it proclaimed at some time past, but at that moment, it just hits you.

One of the great joys of my life for many years was a schedule that allowed me to attend weekday Mass most days. My current work schedule is not so flexible so I celebrate the liturgy during the week when I can. Tonight was one of those opportunities, thanks to evening Mass at our mission church of St. Michael's. And there I heard it: Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up. This line from 1st Thessalonians 5:11 is right after St. Paul assures us that we who are vigilant, whether awake or asleep, will live together with Jesus eternally.

St. Paul has said this same thing before in different ways throughout his letters. In Romans 15:2 he says: let each of us please our neighbor for the good, for building up. In 1st Corinthians Paul refers to building up twice in chapter 14, verses 12 and 26.

Do we encourage, do we build up. And what is St. Paul talking about? We are indeed called to encourage one another, to build one another up. This requires us to put on the mind and the heart of Christ. We should never be unkind or uncharitable and much can be said for helping others feel good or improve their self-esteem. But this is not the depth that St. Paul is asking us to dive. This is about building up others to be prepared for a lifetime spent with Jesus. And that means not just in this world, but the world to come. And it means building up the body of Christ, His church. Jesus continues to desire that all move toward Him and toward each other in one flock under one shephard.

We do this by our example of how we love Jesus and love the Church while journeying through this life. We must surrender and strip away all envy and pride and humble ourselves before God and our brothers and sisters. We are called to love the unlovable and those who challenge us the most. Now that love does not demand blind allegiance and the enabling of sin. Again, detest the sin but love the sinner. Rejoice in the conversion of even the most despicable sinner. And never grieve the Holy Spirit.

Encourage one another and build one another up...for we are destined for salvation!