Do The Work (Quietly)

2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Pentecost 23, November 16, 2025

Holy Trinity Cathedral

“Do the Work (Quietly)”

Did you know? On August 14^th this year, the priest of our neighbouring parish of St. Barnabas began an epic journey.  The Rev. Emilie Smith left New Westminster and travelled by bike, bus, train, burro, and lots of boats down the west coast of Turtle Island, across Central America, and south to Bélem, Brazil.  This city is the host site for COP-30: the “Conference Of the Parties” of the United Nations on climate change.  From November 10-21, 2025, politicians, scientists, industry officials, and delegations from 193 countries gather to listen, learn, and find ways forward for the sake of humanity.  Mother Emilie is amongst over 56,000 delegates and observers.  On the way, she has been gathering and sharing the stories of community leaders and activists from the global majority most affected by the shifting climate of our earth.  We pray for her safety and proclamation amidst the demonstrations and tensions, and for courage to labour in this work of the gospel.  She has chosen to be actively involved rather than stand on the sidelines.  Will her participation make a difference?  I believe that is for God to know, and for us to trust enough to respond in action rather than idleness.  We may not be called to witness like at COP-30, but we are to do the work of the gospel.

In the early Church, some believers thought that they could just sit around and watch the world go astray. The idea of determinism is that everything that happens is beyond our control anyway.  Nothing we do will change things, and events are inevitable.  Put God in this picture and the shift is to a sense of pre-destination.  God has already decided who is saved and who is not.  It is God’s will.  This is very convenient for those who see themselves as part of the elect, saved by faith.  There is nothing that they need to do.  They certainly don’t have to be concerned with others, since God has already provided for those who are righteous.  Cue the prosperity gospel fallacy that being rich proves God likes you, while being poor is a moral judgment on your sinfulness.  If you don’t think this false doctrine is alive and well, just look at the incomes of those who control the conversation on climate as opposed to the multitudes who are bearing the brunt of hurricanes, sea water rise, crop failures, and resource-based conflict.  If what we do doesn’t matter because we are relying on God’s grace, we have misunderstood and cheapened the gift of salvation.

The temptation is to let events happen, particularly if they don’t touch us directly.  But the rebuke in the 2^nd Letter to the Thessalonians is harsh: “anyone unwilling to work should not eat.”  This is not directed against the unemployed, the incarcerated, the disabled, the elderly, or anyone judged not to be pulling their economic weight in society.  It is to be heard by those who assert that they are Christians, yet do not respond to the needs of those around them.  The church leader who wrote this letter explains further: “We hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work” (2 Thess. 3:11).  Here he contrasts those who are ergazomenous, that is, those who labour or are engaged in a task, with those are peri-ergazomenous, ones who are guilty of working around, or sidestepping.  Idleness is not just hanging back and not getting involved.  It is a decision to avoid what God is calling you to get on with. 

I don’t know about you, but I am very good at rationalizing why I don’t have to do something. It’s somebody else’s responsibility.  I don’t have the skills, or time, or energy.  It’s inconvenient.  It’s not really going to make a difference, anyway.  Now there is always the need for discernment and prayer before engaging in a meaningful work.  But if you find yourself sidestepping something you have been asked to do, it might be helpful to ask “why do I feel this way?”  The response of our hearts to do the work quietly may be exactly what our souls need for living.  And sometimes, it takes more energy to avoid than to actually do it.

Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right. We may think it is impossible to know whether how we act will have an effect.  However, as followers of Christ, we are, whether we realize it or not, models for others.  For the world.  And for each other.  Young giving courage to the old.  Old showing wisdom to the young.  Together we do the work quietly to show what is right. 

Reshape us, O Holy God,

until in generosity,

in faith,

and in expectation

that the best is yet to come,

we are truly Christ-like.

Make us passionate followers of Jesus

rather than passive supporters.

Make our hearts as well as our churches

places of radical discipleship

and signposts to heaven.

Then, in us, through us,

and- if need be- despite us,

let your dream for earth come quickly.

Amen.