Long-distance love

We can’t always be with the ones we love, especially with all of the ones we love in Christ.

St. Paul feels the same way about those to whom he is writing in today’s first reading (1 Thes. 3:7-13).

May his words be our words always.

For this reason, brethren,
in all our distress and affliction
we have been comforted about you
through your faith;
for now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.

For what thanksgiving can we render to God
for you, for all the joy
which we feel for your sake before our God,
praying earnestly night and day
that we may see you face to face
and supply what is lacking in your faith?

Now may our God and Father himself,
and our Lord Jesus,
direct our way to you;
and may the Lord make you
increase and abound in love
to one another and to all men,
as we do to you,
so that he may establish your hearts
unblamable in holiness
before our God and Father,
at the coming of our Lord Jesus
with all his saints.