To be holy and without blemish before Him 

“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. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved.” (EPH 1: 3-6)

In love chosen “before the foundation of the world” (!), destined “for adoption to Himself,” and blessed “with every spiritual blessing in the heaven”— everything “through Jesus Christ,” our Lord. And all of this happened to us just “to be holy and without blemish before Him.” How much we are loved, how important we are to Him.

“I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.” (Gospel Acclamation)