La alegría de ser cristianos comprometidos

Una aproximación a la primitiva comunidad de Tesalónica

Abstract

The beautiful first Letter to the Thessalonians constitutes the first Christian writing of whose authenticity we can be sure. With good reason it can be called the “letter of that joy which comes from being a committed Christian”. It truly constitutes a song of rejoicing for God’s activity that made itself manifest in many ways in one of the Church’s earliest communities in Europe. This leads us to a highly relevant reflection: Christianity has, since its very beginnings, been essentially linked to the joy and commitment of its belie- vers. Pope Francis is completely right when he begins his Apostolic Exhortation with the words, “The joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus.” It is true. It filled the heart and life of Paul and the Thessalonians and today it can also fill our hearts and our lives, which are in such need of inner enthusiasm and convincing witness in the face of the world.