The standard of performance

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today may leave us with questions if we are seeking insight into what it is we need to do to be ok when as the psalmist proclaims "he is coming to judge the world". Paul continues to praise the love of the Thessalonians for their brothers and sisters. He comments that they have learned this as the will of God.  He encourages them to do more in the areas living quietly, minding their own affairs, working with their hands and behaving properly towards others. When this letter was written Paul believed Jesus would be returning soon and his advice may be based on maintaining the good life already demonstrated. The parable of the talents in the Gospel of Matthew is about a longer time. It is the example of how to live for a usual life time. There are a couple of points. It does not directly answer the "What do I have to do to pass?" question which will be voiced millions of times as the schools return for Fall sessions. The requirement to do the Will of God seems to be dependent on the amount of grace we have known in our relationship with the Divine. The righteous have lived with the gracious gifts of God and have used them in communion with the Will of God.