Oct.14 and 15, Lectionary 470 and 471

Scripture: Lectionary 470. Epheisans 1:3-10. Psalm 98:1.2-3.3-4.5-6. Luke
11:47-54:

Paul encourages us to realize how God's love and providence continues for
us each day. In our reading from Ephesians we have a magnificent summary
and prayer that is a declaration of God's love and blessing upon the
churches especially that of Ephesus. The letter serves like an encyclical
or essay for all the churches that are mentioned in the epistles of the New
Testament. As usual, the first chapter expresses Paul's prayer and his
faith in God and in what God is doing for the Christian community that Paul
addresses.

We take the inspired message for our own edification and growth as members
of a Christian community and a specific local church. The letter is
timeless and thus speaks to our needs in faith, hope, and love. Remember
it is Paul who gives us these "theological virtues" as a triad for the
first time.

The creed like passage is also a regular part of Vespers at least once
during the week. We can learn much from our reflection, our prayer, and
our study of this passage. Paul, according to Vincent Branick, has six key
themes that permeate his writings and we can find them in this first
chapter of Ephesians. As members of Christ's mystical body, the Church, we
participate in all of the mysteries and graces the passage contains.

We, too, are among the chosen people of God from the very beginning we were
in God's thoughts. We like Paul bless God and praise his holy name for
filling us with love. This all is in the plan of God (salvation history)
decreed in Chirst and God's favors (graces) within us. Together with Jesus
we carry out this plan of God under the headship and leadership of Jesus.
All of our past failings of omission or commission have been for given. We
are being inspired by Paul's words of wisdom that help us live the
mysteries of faith that gives us life in Christ Jesus. Amen.

October 15th. Lectionary 471:
Scripture: Ephesians 1:11-14. Psalm 33:1-2,4-5,12-13. Luke 12:1-7.

In our Gospel for today we have a new part of the journey before us. The
confrontation with the leaders and lawyers about religious rules and
rituals is left aside and we join the crowds who are enthralled by Jesus'
teaching and healing on the way up to Jerusalem. We press on toward
touching Jesus and learn more about the cost of discipleship.

His words are telling us not to be afraid. He is encouraging us to join in
the journey of his life that leads us to Jerusalem, the holy city of God.
We begin to feel not only the presence of Jesus but also that of the Father
who has given us Jesus in total selfless love. Therefore, we should not be
afraid. God the Father is our loving creator, Jesus is the way, the truth,
and the life. The Holy Spirit is the love and courageous living that we are
able to take on because of the presence of that Holy Spirit. God's
providential love gives us the desire to continue on the journey with our
Lord. We are will to undergo all that he will experience in his suffering,
death, and resurrection.

Paul leads us into a more profound realization of the mystery of union with
Christ as he continues his inspired writing to the Ephesians. We are God's
chosen ones in Christ and we are sealed with the Holy Spirit. We then take
up the singing of the Psalm and especially the theme of the chanting :
"Happy the people the Lord has chosen to be his own." (Psalm 33, verse 12).
Amen.