Fifteenth Sunday in Course 2024
St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians anchors our Scriptures today. Paul is acting as a prophet/teacher for the Church at Ephesus but the universal feel of this letter suggests to us that it’s more like an encyclical or circular letter for all of the churches in that region of Asia Minor. It was used so often and held in such regard that it was copied and recopied and ultimately accepted all over the Christian world as inspired by the Holy Spirit. In verses 3-14, we see a berekah, a blessing not unlike the “Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. . .” we pray at the Preparation of the Gifts in every Mass.
Here Paul blesses first the “God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” and reminded us humans that the Father “chose us in [Jesus]” before the world’s foundation for holiness and love. Then he informs us that the choice is tied up with the Father’s decision to adopt us as sons and daughters, siblings by adoption with His only-begotten Son. For what purpose? We are so favored so that we might praise the glory of God’s grace granted us through the beloved Son, His life, passion, death and Resurrection.
There’s much more, all intimately involved with Jesus: redemption by His Precious Blood (reminding us that July is devoted to honoring the Precious Blood of Christ). In His Blood we have forgiveness of our transgressions, both mortal and venial, if we ask for pardon. And there is the incredible richness of His grace, “lavished upon us.” We can come to at least a partial understanding of the Father’s plan for us, through the gifts of wisdom and insight. That plan, God’s will for the human race, is to fill up the times, summing up everything in Christ. Christ, the reconciler, the joiner, brings together all those whom Satan (diabolos, the divider) wanted to separate.
Paul foresees that this vast assemblage brought together in Christ would understand that they exist “for the praise of [God’s] glory.” That’s the Jewish Christians, who first believed, and the Gentile Christians, sealed and united by the “promised Holy Spirit.” The spiritual gifts, especially wisdom, the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity, and the demonstrative gifts like prophecy and tongues and healing, prove that we are all filled with the Holy Spirit, who is called the “first installment” or maybe down payment on our ultimate redemption and lifting to a resurrected state, where we will continue to praising God’s glory. That is our purpose, our destiny.
In the sixth chapter of Mark’s Gospel we see the first mission of the disciples of Jesus, who went out on what was probably an exploratory walk, but certainly a preparation for the evangelization after Christ’s Passover. For food and lodging and places to rest and even wash their tunics, they will rely on the generosity of the Jewish families who will listen to them. Their message was the simple message of Jesus Himself, “repent,” that is, turn around your lives and live for God’s glory. Along with this, like Jesus, they drove out unclean spirits, anointed with oil (as we do in the sacrament of the sick). And many were cured. Next week we’ll hear reports of the results from this first mission of the apostles.
Of course, it would be highly appropriate if we 21st century disciples would endeavor this week to bring at least one family along next Sunday. Tell them you have found our time together to be healing for the prior week and encouraging for the next one. If they ask what goes on, tell them “come and see.”
