29th Week in Ordinary Time, Tuesday, Oct.24, 2006

Scripture: Ephesians 2:12-22. Psalm 85:9-14. Luke 12:35-38.

Paul again gives us message of encouragement and consolation leading us to unity and peace with one another because of faith in Jesus Christ and through the work of the Holy Spirit. He is addressing the Gentiles (that means our ancestors) and not the Jews. His successful experience of leading them to baptism and to belief in Jesus makes him think of our unity with God and the Chosen People Israel. The walls have been broken down according to Paul's thought and we need to be people of peace. This, of course, has changed throughout the centuries, but both Jews and Christians do work together on efforts for peace and justice here in the United States and also all over the world. Paul's message is that Jesus helps us Christians to do this and to understand our fellow brothers and sisters who are Jewish.

In my own mind I thought immediately of the consoling doctrine expressed in the creed: "I believe in the Communion of Saints." Looking into Paul's development of the Body of Christ of which he considers us all members, this includes those who have gone before with the sign of faith and belief in God. They are already in heaven and are united as members of the Body of Christ and are in union with each other in prayer and thought. Though many Christians do not accept praying to Mary and the Saints, we do and it is one of the most consoling thoughts in the faith that I embrace as a Catholic. Moreover, when we are united with Christ, it is through our belief in his Resurrection. Those who are with him are resurrected in him and we too are resurrction people here on earth. Paul calls his readers "saints". The saints who are already united with God in heaven are together with us in our hope and desire for being with them in the kingdom of God. Paul's writings lead me to see that he does not separate them from us and if we can pray for each other here on earth, so can they all the moreso because they are with God. Speaking of saints, Benedict XVI in his most recent meeting with one of the Marianist Bishops, the Pope in speaking about ministry of every kind by lay or religious or priests and deacons the Holy Father highlighted the need to see every aspect of our lives as a means to holiness." Holiness of life, Archbishop Raymnond Roussin, S.M., said, means taking the way of Christ in all things at all times, something that coan only be accomplished with some form of daily prayer. So everyone on this earth is called to wholesomeness and holiness which are synonymous.

In going back to the letter of Paul to the Ephesians, I found the last section a summary of what God wills for all of us as his People and and the Body of Christ. We Christians are to be members of the body of Christ which is likened to a temple: "Through him (Christ) the whole structure is fitted together and takes shape as a holy temple in the Lord; in him you are being built into this temple, to become a dwelling place for God in the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:21-22). And so, we pray< "Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your divine love." Amen.