“I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace…” (Eph 4: 1-3)
We can live “in a manner worthy of the call we have received” or below our dignity, unfortunately. The first kind of life is based on “all humility and gentleness, with patience,” the second one consumes others: expects and demands with impatience. The “unity of the spirit” needs to be preserved, and it requires us “to bear with one another through love” -and the bond of peace. As a result of such an attitude, we get peace, freedom from our own expectations and joy. It is worth to live this way.
“O chosen people, proclaim the mighty works of him, who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (Entrance Antiphon)
“I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Eph 3: 14-19)
We need to be rooted and grounded in love, not in knowledge, because “the love of Christ surpasses knowledge.” We know how important knowledge is, we know about fides quaerens intellectum (faith seeking understanding), but at the same moment, we know that only those who love have a real access to real knowledge—“to know the love of Christ.” Rooted and grounded in love, we may be filled with the fullness of God. To be a sincere gift of self we have to love. Only the love of Christ can motivate us to give.
“I consider all things so much rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in him.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“…I became a minister by the gift of God’s grace that was granted me in accord with the exercise of his power. To me, the very least of all the holy ones, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the inscrutable riches of Christ…” (Eph 3: 7-8)
His grace accompanies every vocation, every role and every task. His power is given not because we deserve it or we are worthy of it, but because we are chosen and equipped for our ministry. God’s grace accepted, given even to “the very least of all the holy ones,” makes miracles and changes ordinary men into holy men.
“The Lord chose him for himself as high priest, and, opening his treasure house, made him rich in all good things.” (Entrance Antiphon)
“…In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” (Eph 2: 22)
All the elements are so important: built “together”, as “a dwelling place of God”, “in the Spirit.”
“Together.” We are created as human beings and intended for relations: for being united and related. No one exists for him/herself. We are intended to become a gift of self.
“A dwelling place.” In other words—a temple, a very special place of worship. We are intended to be connected with God in our bodies and in our hearts.
“In the Spirit.” He knows everything about our limits. Not only did He create us, not only did He redeem us, but He also sanctifies us. The Holy Spirit is the constructor, and we “are being built.”
“To you I call; for you will surely heed me, O God; turn your ear to me; hear my words. Guard me as the apple of your eye; in the shadow of your wings protect me.” (Entrance Antiphon)
“Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God.” (Lk 12: 21)
What matters to God? Everything which is connected with an unconditional gift of self. Even being rich is OK with God. The only thing which is unacceptable for God is egoism, things we do for ourselves. Like in today’s Gospel: “treasure for himself,” success for himself, pleasure and appreciation for himself.
“I resolved to know nothing while I was with you, except for Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” (Entrance Antiphon)
“The Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech.” (Mt 22: 15)
An absolutely stupid idea—“entrap Jesus in speech.” Who is trying to do that to Him? The creation to its Creator? The sinners to their Redemptor? Why? He brought the most beautiful message from God: we are loved, redeemed and saved. He is the Word of God, and His speech reveals His identity.
Today we receive a new beatified Pope—Pope Paul VI, the author of the encyclical letter “Humanae vitae” (1968). His words are clear, strong and full of faith in men, although these words are the words of challenge; his words are full of love and respect for mankind—created by God.
“Shine like lights in the world as you hold on to the word of life.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it.” (2 Tim 4: 17)
We are chosen by Our Lord not because we are strong, useful, talented or flexible. We are chosen by God’s love because we listen to Him, we are open to His call and trust Him, not ourselves. We’ll receive everything we need to complete our mission. When we are sent to proclaim the Gospel in our families or when our mission goes beyond the oceans, Our “Lord stands by me and gives me strength.”
“I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.” (Lk 12: 7)
Our God cares about everything, even about little sparrows, because He created the world by love, not by will. He sees our lives, needs and fears in every tiny detail. His love reaches and touches them all, with gentleness and respect.
“May your kindness, Lord, be upon us; who have put our hope in you.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him.” (Eph 1: 3-4)
Like a child who is coming over and over again to his/her mom to tell her “I love you” and to hear the same from her, we can read this paragraph all the time: it was no “accident” that I was born, as we were chosen “before the foundation of the world” and we are blessed “with every spiritual blessing in the heavens.” And what’s more—we are chosen “to be holy and without blemish before him,” even though He knows everything about our weaknesses, fears and shortcomings. Happy are we!
“I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Gal 5: 22-23)
God knows perfectly our condition and situation. He became a man, died for us on the cross and sent us His Holy Spirit, who supports us in every situation. His presence in us is very fruitful. Because God is One in Three Persons, His gifts are also intended to unite us and to open our hearts for others. When we look at Him, listen to Him and follow Him, the fruit of the Spirit could “explode” in our lives – for ourselves, our friends and neighbors.
“My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.” (Gospel Acclamation)
