His Excellency,
The Most Reverend Edward K. Braxton, Ph.D., S.T.D.
Diocese of Belleville
November 16, 2025
Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
St. Luke Parish, Belleville
“Sisters and Brothers to Us”
(This is the text as originally written. During the actual delivery, some passages were omitted and other comments were added spontaneously. Nota bene: This text has not been thoroughly proofread. Therefore, there may be errors in spelling, grammar and punctuation.)
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Albert Lee Lewis, his wife, Serah, and their two children, Daniel and Sadie, were evicted recently from their small one-bedroom apartment at 1234 South Kedzie because they could not pay the rent, since he lost his job as a custodian three months earlier. For a while, they lived in their car. Now they live in a public shelter. During the government shutdown, Albert was not able to buy food for his family because they are among the 42 million Americans who benefit from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides federal funds to buy groceries for low income and no income households. Though the longest Government shutdown in history ended this week, these food stamps are still not available. As a result, the Lewis family, like so many others, look to family members, food pantries, and religious groups such as Catholic Charities, and the St. Vincent DePaul Society for assistance. However, these agencies are inadequate to meet the growing need.
As the number of homeless people and people with no money to buy food in the United States has grown social commentators have developed odd neutral sounding new terminology to describe them. People with no place to live are called “unhoused,” or people with “housing insecurity,” rather than homeless. People with no money to buy food are called people experiencing “food insecurity” rather than people who go to bed hungry or children who are starving to death.
Some observers looking at the Lewis family’s bleak situation might call attention to St. Paul’s words which we just heard from his Second Letter to the Thessalonians (3:7-12), “We instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that person eat! We did not act in a disorderly way among you, nor did we eat food free from anyone. We worked in toil and drudgery, night and day, so as not to burden any of you.” Some critics of the plight of the poor argue that most of the problems dealing with unemployment, homelessness and hunger in this country could be met if all of these needy people would return to what has been called “the Protestant work ethic” that they think Paul is recommending in his words to followers of Jesus Christ living in Thessalonica. Rather than seeking handouts from the government, the needy should avoid idleness, pull themselves up by their bootstraps, get a job, and contribute constructively to society.
“If someone is not willing to work. Let them not eat.” St. Paul’s words have a long history influencing how Americans respond to the needs of others. Individuals, churches, cities, states, and national governments are all challenged by Paul’s words to think about what they should do to provide food and housing for those most in need. What social and religious obligations do we have to assist those who do not have enough to eat? The Catholic Church and parishes like St. Luke and St. Theresa have a distinguished history of dedication to feeding the hungry.
Some, however, have used Paul’s words to criticize Medicaid, food stamps, and other social programs, arguing that these services encourage sloth and freeloading among the poor, taking advantage of the tax money of decent, hardworking people. Yet, we all know people who want to work but have a hard time finding employment. We know others with physical or mental disabilities, making it almost impossible for them to work. St. Paul in not suggesting that these sisters and brothers to us should not be given assistance for food and housing. Those “unable to work” are not the same as those “unwilling to work.”
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was a U.S. federal agency that managed the nation's international economic and humanitarian aid programs, with the goal of eradicating extreme poverty and fostering resilient human communities. It was established in 1961 by Catholic President John F. Kennedy to counter Soviet Union’s influence during the Cold War. It was one of the largest humanitarian aid donors in the world, operating in over 130 countries and working on issues such as feeding the hungry, health care, and disaster relief. The good work done by this agency helping those most in need was widely praised. But the agency was also the object of serious criticism by those who thought there was waste and support for undesirable programs. This summer the federal government dismantled the entire agency, because this work was “no longer aligned with American interests.”
Critics of this decision argue that no matter its flaws, it is not possible to use Paul’s words, “Anyone unwilling to work should not eat” to defend the dismantling of USAID which may have been the world’s most effective program in combatting worldwide starvation and infant deaths.
*******
When individuals, groups, institutions and governments use the Second Letter to the Thessalonians to defend ignoring the food and housing needs of those around us, they are obviously ignorant of the circumstances that prompted Paul to write the words, “If someone is not willing to work, let that person not eat.” Paul, ever the theologian, was addressing a theological controversy that had arisen in the community. There were some Christians living in Thessalonica who had become convinced that the Second Coming of Christ was going to happen any day. Since they were overconfident that they would see the risen Lord coming in glory very soon, they decided that it was no longer necessary for them to work to earn a living and take care of basic expenses like food for their families. They quit their jobs, believing the end of the world was so close that there was no need for them to work at all.
It is not possible to understand what Paul meant by the words “If someone is not willing to work, let that person not eat” without being aware that this command was a practical challenge to those who wrongly thought they could spend their time idly waiting for Christ’s return without bothering to work.
Paul was telling these confused Christians to support themselves and avoid being a burden to others. He was not contradicting Christ’s teaching, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Keep in mind that the main meal for the Thessalonians was usually a communal meal immediately after the celebration of the evening Eucharist. Everyone would contribute to this communal meal which they enjoyed together. Those who were eagerly awaiting the immediate return of the Lord were simply helping themselves to the good dinner prepared by those who went out and worked each day. As you know, Paul himself set an example for all providing for his own needs by working hard as a tent maker. Paul bluntly tells those who were so sure of Christ’s immanent return to spend their time working hard, as he does, avoiding idleness and being “busybodies.”
Later he says that we Christians should make sure that the work we do is fruitful work. It is possible to waste time and energy on things that are not central to living to Gospel of Jesus Christ, who feeds us this morning with His Body and Blood.
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
We all know we are approaching “THE HOLIDAYS,” the great danger zone for serious Christians, which must never be confused with the “Christmas Holy Days,” the great source of grace for serious Christians. The danger zone begins during these days before Thanksgiving, it continues through madding “shopping days” before Christmas, on to Christmas Day through fog that is New Year’s Eve. THE HOLIDAYS’ danger zone entices us to shop until we drop and eat until we are sick and avoid thinking about Albert Lee Lewis and his family. Paul is not telling Christian families they should not enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations together. But he is surely cautioning us to avoid excess. How much food and drink is too much? How many toys and decorations are too many? Paul is certainly not telling us to use his words, “If someone is not willing to work, let that person not eat” as a rationalization for ignoring those close to home and far away who cannot eat because they cannot work.
St. Paul of Tarsus Paul is asking us: How are we preparing a place in the cold stable of our world and our hearts for the coming of Jesus Christ. He is saying in a loud voice, “Beware of the danger zone of “THE HOLIDAYS” which can make it very difficult for a serious Christian to prepare spiritually for the Christmas Holy Days!
Praised be Jesus Christ. Both now and forever. AMEN!