Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter, May 21, 2007

Scripture: Acts 19:1-8. Psalm 68. John 16:29-33. Lectionary # 297

Paul is now at Ephesus (Western Turkey) where he spends three months
catechizing and preaching to the people. Twelve people respond positively
to him after he explains the difference of being baptized in the name of
the Holy Spirit. They were familiar with a baptism of repentance that
John the Baptist had preached, now they are welcomed into the fulness of
Baptism in the name of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. The community of
Ephesus will be one of the most prominent in the early church. It is
already mentioned as one of the seven churches in the Apocalypse where the
seer John of Patmos narrates, "I know your deeds, labor, and endurance; not
tolerant for the wicked; you tested would-be apostles, finding them false;
you endure patiently for my name's sake." A few years ago I had a chance
to visit Ephesus for ten days through a travel gift of a gentleman who has
helped in restoring the Christian churches in Ephesus and its environs. I
was amazed at the history, the former beauty seen through the ruins, and
the legends that still are told. Many of the early apostles and saints
mentioned in the New Testament are said to have been there. There was a
custom to build churches only in those places where an apostle or disciple
had visited or lived. Thus at Ephesus the strong tradition about Mary the
Mother of Jesus and John the Apostle has also been substantiated by the
ruins of a double church named after Mary the Mother of Jesus and a great
basilica on a summit not far from the ruins of ancient Ephesus, dedicated
to John the Apostle. Paul, of course, gives evidence in his letters of
being there for at least three months. Several of his letters may have been
written there. The great Christological Council of Ephesus took place in
431 A.D. and Mary,, through her role in the Incarnation was entitled
THEOTOKOS (the God-bearer or the Mother of God). There are documents from
the Council that seem to indicate that John was there and that Mary, Jesus'
mother, may have accompanied him . While I was there on the Feast of the
Assumption I was privileged to offer the Eucharist in a small chapel of the
Sisters and the Franciscan priest from India who are the guardians and
administrators of the shrine dedicated to the Mother of God as her last
resting place and possibly the sight of her Assumption into heaven. It is
a quiet peaceful setting and even from the fourth and fifth centuries the
settlers were celebrating a feast honoring Mary in her falling asleep
(Dormitiion) and her Assumption into heaven. Such a tradition continues
today for I witnessed Muslims coming on August 15 to a service before the
mass in which grapes and bread are distributed to everyone who comes to the
shrine. Ephesus is certainly key in the Counciliar title of great
importance for Mary and for us her spiritual sons and daughters. For me
the visit was a great grace and joy. I am thankful for the gift of this
generous gentleman from the Society of Ephesus which is located in Lima,
Ohio. "May the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit be glorified in
all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen."