(Eph 1:1-10; Lk 11:47-54)
From today till the upper week, our meditations shall be
guided by St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. This letter is addressed to the
people of God, called together as one Body in Christ, which is the Church. It is
important for us today to listen to St. Paul’s teachings about the Church as
the people of God, especially at this time we have numerous churches, prayer
houses, miracle centers, evangelical ministries, and increasing number of non-denominational
prayer ministries. The Letter to the Ephesians is a masterpiece of theology and
spirituality; it will deepen your knowledge of God, the Church, and inspire you
to pray.
St. Paul began by introducing himself, then he greeted his
audience. Immediately, he started tracing the history of the people of God.
With joy, he announced that God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has blessed
us in Christ with every spiritual blessing, and chose us in Him before the
foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. The
people blessed and chosen in Christ are thus called to become one Body in
Christ, i.e., the people of God. Meditate on this great eternal choice in
Christ that made us the Body of Christ; it is a choice that pre-dates our
existence since it was made before the foundation of the world. In addition,
since God leads the way, my Christian journey is movement of grace.
God is the master planner of our lives and journey of
faith. “He destined us in love to be His sons through Jesus Christ, according
to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace which He freely
bestowed on us in the Beloved.” Now, we see how we have been grafted into Jesus
Christ, and become members of His Body. The love, peace and joy of the Lord
must be seen in all who have responded to this plan of God for our salvation. Above
all, being part of the Body of Christ brings us redemption through His blood,
the forgiveness of our sins according to the riches of His grace. As God’s
chosen people, He reveals to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of His
will, “According to His purpose which He set forth in Christ as a plan for the
fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on
earth.”
Reflect on the mystery of our Christian life as St. Paul
explained. Our life in Christ is not conditioned by problems of life or human
desires. God’s graces and blessings await us in Christ; by being part of the
Body of Christ, He lavishes us with His graces. Just as in the gospel of today,
Jesus condemned the people of this generation, who connect themselves by their
actions to those who killed the prophets; the blood of the prophets shed from
the foundation of the world shall be required of them. But thanks be to God,
who chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world that we might be holy,
and connected to heavenly blessings. Amen.
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.
Thursday October 13, 2022.
Amen
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