Ephesians 1: 1-10
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
How To Be Holy
“God chose us in Christ to be holy.” (And God is not kidding!)
Several years ago, I visited an elementary school where the mission statement of the school was basically the same as this statement from Ephesians. What does holiness mean?
Looking at the words again, I am deeply touched by these few words. What a wonderful thought—God chose us/me!—in Christ, to be holy, to be like him. Jesus tells us clearly what it is to be holy—we are to love as he loved: our family and friends, our neighbors and colleagues, those we like and those we don’t, those who hate us, those who are of a different faith or race or political party. And above all, we are to love our dear God with all our being!
Take some time today to talk to God about how to be holy, how to be loving.
—Jean Ellman, SSND, is a facilitator of the Spanish Spirituality Programs at Casa Romero Renewal Center, a Jesuit urban retreat center in Milwaukee, WI.
Prayer
So act, good Jesus,
that, in my relationships with whatever neighbor
and in all I do for the furthering of your Father’s glory
and the salvation of others,
I form myself on your pattern;
that I be a genuine reflection of your moderation,
gentleness, humility, patience, graciousness, tireless zeal,
in a word, of all your virtues;
and, in order to engrave them in my soul,
live eternally in me.
—Jean Pierre Médaille, SJ
Pray with the Pope
The Holy Father’s Monthly Prayer Intentions Brought to you by Apostleship of Prayer the first Friday of each month.