The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to accept that our efforts to encourage acceptance of fellowship with Christ in our environment may be met by strong opposition.
The reading from the Letter to the Ephesians is a Prayer for the Readers.
* [3:14–21] The apostle prays that those he is addressing may, like the rest of the church, deepen their understanding of God’s plan of salvation in Christ. It is a plan that affects the whole universe (Eph 3:15) with the breadth and length and height and depth of God’s love in Christ (Eph 3:18) or possibly the universe in all its dimensions. The apostle prays that they may perceive the redemptive love of Christ for them and be completely immersed in the fullness of God (Eph 3:19). The prayer concludes with a doxology to God (Eph 3:20–21).
* [3:14–15] Every family: in the Greek there is wordplay on the word for the Father (patria, patēr). The phrase could also mean “God’s whole family” (cf. Eph 2:21). (Ephesians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 33 praises the Greatness and Goodness of God.
* [Psalm 33] A hymn in which the just are invited (Ps 33:1–3) to praise God, who by a mere word (Ps 33:4–5) created the three-tiered universe of the heavens, the cosmic waters, and the earth (Ps 33:6–9). Human words, in contrast, effect nothing (Ps 33:10–11). The greatness of human beings consists in God’s choosing them as a special people and their faithful response (Ps 33:12–22). (Psalms, PSALM 33 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus identifies the Cause of Division.
* [12:49–53] Jesus’ proclamation of the kingdom is a refining and purifying fire. His message that meets with acceptance or rejection will be a source of conflict and dissension even within families.
* [12:50] Baptism: i.e., his death.
Molly Mattingly comments that sometimes the themes of the readings that land on the same day seem rather at odds. Even that observation seems apt for today, considering the theme of division in Luke’s Gospel! Just two days ago, we heard in St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians that Christ “is our peace, he made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity.”
I think perhaps part of the mystery of Christ, a mystery in which I place much hope, is how he holds seemingly disparate elements together. That mysterious unity amidst every kind of diversity may come through the foundation St. Paul so beautifully describes to the Ephesians in today’s epistle: if Christ dwells in our hearts through faith, if we are rooted and grounded in the immense love of Christ that surpasses knowledge and imagination, then Christ unifies us on some deeper level despite everything. Christ’s love overwhelms fears and division, even if, as Jesus alludes to in the Gospel, participating in and responding to that love leads to a cross. Let us continue to hope in “him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine!”
Don Schwager quotes “The fire of the Gospel and being baptized in the Holy Spirit,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"We affirm that the fire that Christ sent out is for humanity's salvation and profit. May God grant that all our hearts be full of this. The fire is the saving message of the Gospel and the power of its commandments. We were cold and dead because of sin and in ignorance of him who by nature is truly God. The gospel ignites all of us on earth to a life of piety and makes us fervent in spirit, according to the expression of blessed Paul (Romans 12:11). Besides this, we are also made partakers of the Holy Spirit, who is like fire within us. We have been baptized with fire and the Holy Spirit. We have learned the way from what Christ says to us. Listen to his words: 'Truly I say to you, that except a man be born of water and spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God' (John 3:5). It is the divinely inspired Scripture's custom to give the name of fire sometimes to the divine and sacred words and to the efficacy and power which is by the Holy Spirit by which we are made fervent in spirit." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 94) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Ephesians 3:14-21 comments that we can know some things about God. We know that he loves each one of us. We can read it in the Scriptures or hear it preached at Mass. We also know that Christ demonstrated his love by dying for us. But God longs for us to know his love in a far deeper way, by experience. In today’s first reading, St. Paul invites us to do just that—to personally enter into the love that God has for us.
God wants to overcome your objections so that you can know his love in a way that goes beyond mere knowledge. So take some time today to open your heart, and let God show you just how much he loves you.
“Lord, I know that you love me! Help me to experience that love in a deeper way today.” (Meditation on Ephesians 3:14-21, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler notes that in the passage from Ephesians, the author prays that God’s Wisdom should fill the community. The text expresses a clear indication of the Trinity which appears only in Paul’s later letters. Friar Jude reminds us of our acceptance of a “mystery beyond our understanding” that includes others separating from us and our privilege of suffering for the Gospel.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Rabbi Nahum Ward-Lev who describes how the ancient prophets listened for God’s liberating word. He shares that the living presence of God is still calling to us today.
The Living Presence also speaks within our lives, wordlessly calling us out into life, encouraging us to grow beyond our current limitations. This Presence breathes into us desires and visions of whom we might become. Listening to the word of God is opening to the often-wordless speech of this Presence, allowing the transcendent to touch us, to inspire us, to beckon us across boundaries, to take the next step in our lives. Listening well to our inner lives—to the thoughts, inclinations, images, and emotions that arise within us—is an important practice along the liberation journey. Listening is essential in relationship to the Living Presence and in mutual relationship with people…. (Rohr, n.d.)
We seek patience from the Spirit to avoid our separation into “we and them” when we encounter the fire of deep entrenchment in paths of living that tend away from goodness, peace, and love.
References
Ephesians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 24, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/3?14
Luke, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 24, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/12?49
Mattingly, M. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved October 24, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/
Meditation on Ephesians 3:14-21. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 24, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/10/24/1112098/
Psalms, PSALM 33 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 24, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/33?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Living Presence, Liberating Journey. Richard Rohr. Retrieved October 24, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/living-presence-liberating-journey/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). I Came to Cast Fire upon the Earth. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 24, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=oct24
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