"I ask for the grace to pray and meditate faithfully. I ask for patience, tolerance, empathy, compassion, and gentleness. I ask to abstain from anger, anxiety, arrogance, compulsive behaviour, cynicism, discouragement, and self-importance. I ask to know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly."
Ephesians 3:1-6
3This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for* Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, 4a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. 5In former generations this mystery* was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: 6that is, the Gentiles have become fellow-heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
1) "...sharers in the promise;" "...prisoner for Christ Jesus;" "...you Gentiles;" "...God's grace;" "...the mystery;" "...the mystery of Christ;" "...in former generations this mystery was not made known;" "...by the Spirit;" "...the Gentiles have become fellow-heirs;"
2) If only we had maintained the revelation of "fellow-heirs." Paul's point was that the promise God had made to Israel, through Christ was now available to everyone. God did not replace the Israelites with the Gentiles, but extended the promise to be all inclusive. I feel a desire to go back to read what Paul, "wrote above in a few words." As the liturgy states, "Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again." But Paul said more than that. We too have died to how we were and have been raised with Christ. Is it possible that we can die to 2,000 years of trespass? of violence between pagans and Christians? Christians and Jews? Christians and indigenous peoples? Christians and Muslims? Maybe if Christians actually followed the teachings of Jesus and Paul. Maybe if we genuinely sought humility, justice and kindness instead of being right. Mystery is right. A mystery that anyone might be willing to die to their own way of thinking and being so that something new could be born. Paul has been arrested because he is trying to serve the very people he once persecuted.
3) What is the invitation in all this? Who do I currently persecute? How can I serve them instead?
"Holy One, continue to reveal your mystery to us, until we get it, and make peace."
Breathprayer: "Christ Jesus... the mystery."
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