1 Thess 2:9-13 / Matthew 23:27-32
It is said that the greatest tragedy in life is not death, but life without a purpose. (Myles Munroe)
And by the fact that we are here early in the morning for Mass indicates that we have a purpose in life, or many purposes in life, and we come to the Lord first for directions in life.
So our direction in life is very much determined by our purpose in life, which in turn is very much determined by what we believe in.
Some may believe in the power of riches and wealth and so their purpose in life would be to gain as much money as possible and that would be the direction that they take.
In the 1st reading, St. Paul tells the Thessalonians that the Good News that he brought to them was to help them to live a life worthy of God, who is calling them to share in the glory of His kingdom.
And they have accepted it as God's message and not some human thinking, and it became a living power among them who believed in it.
When we believe in the power of the Good News, then we too would want to live a life worthy of God and look forward to the eternal glory of His kingdom.
We will be able to see that the things of this world are passing and we use them for God's glory and to serve the people around us so that they too will come to believe in the living power of the Good News.
To be stuck with the things of this world is, like what Jesus said in the gospel, to be pretty like the whitewashed tombs. That would be the greatest tragedy in life.