Friends, welcome to Word on Fire Catholic Ministries. Word on Fire is an

apostolate dedicated to the mission of evangelization using media both old and

new to share the faith on every continent and to facilitate and encounter with

Christ and His Church. The efforts of Word on Fire engage the culture and bring

the transformative power of God's Word where it is most needed. Today we invite

you to join Bishop Robert Barron as he preaches the gospel and shares the

warmth and light of Christ with each one of us.

Peace be with you. Friends, our second reading for this third Sunday of

Advent is taken from Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians and it always

takes my breath away. You know, first of all, as I mentioned a couple times to you

before, I think the first letter of Paul to the Thessalonians is the earliest

Christian text we have written sometime around the year 50. I mean maybe Paul

wrote other letters that were lost, but this is the earliest one we've got. So

think of all of Christian literature from this time until you know yesterday.

This is the first text we have. And so it's have extraordinary importance and

interest I think. What we're reading from today is the very end of the letter.

So Paul's summary statement. And here's what he says in this massively important

early text. He tells the little Christian community, rejoice always, pray

without ceasing in all circumstances. Give thanks. Now, St. Paul is not

exactly known for his measured and moderate statements. You know, he's one of

these people that tends to go over the top. He says things very strongly. But

you know, even for Paul, these statements are extraordinary. I mean, look, I

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