Lectionary: 475
When you read this you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to human beings in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy Apostles and prophets by the Spirit, that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same Body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.
To understand anything about Saint Paul, we should first appreciate how palpably real was his sense of the Holy Spirit. He was as sure of the Spirit’s compelling presence as the twelve apostles had been of Jesus’s physical body before he was crucified. If anything, more so! It was closer than our awareness of the hometown team’s schedule, the stock market, or the POTUS – and far more pleasant!
That awareness is a gift both received and practiced. One cannot generate it for oneself; it is a gift. But it may be asked for and cultivated as we become aware of it.
I knew a priest – God rest his soul – who occasionally said, “The Holy Spirit grabbed my tongue and I couldn't get a word out!” He may have been speaking tongue in cheek, but he also had a fine sense of when to speak and when to remain silent. In that rectory, at that time, I might have done better had I had the same wise impulse! Speaking out only made matters worse.
In today’s passage from Ephesians, Saint Paul refers to “the mystery of Christ which… has now been revealed.” This was something utterly new and totally unexpected; a grace so wonderful and a revelation so important it could not be kept private. It had to belong to, and be heard by, the whole world.
In this instance he refers to the new relationship between Jews and gentiles, that in Christ all are one. The gentiles are coheirs and members of the same Body, and copartners in the promise…
He practically dances for joy as he thinks about it -- gentiles may know the Lord as Jews have known him since Abraham and Sarah left Ur. And now we know God the Father through the Son and in the Holy Spirit. We know Jesus in his human nature and in his divine nature. We also know our potential for holiness, courage, and compassion as never before! And finally, there are in Christ no distinctions of status, race, ethnicity, wealth, or gender.
Paul's roots in his Jewish tradition are still important for us. Some people blame him for the "dividing wall" that separates Jews and Christians; and he was certainly part of that difficult, historical discussion. But he never stopped being a Jew. He would always pray the psalms, pore over the histories and laws, and contemplate the teachings of the books of wisdom -- as we do to this day.
Each day as I join the Church in reading the psalms I take pleasure in the ancient prayers which Jesus, Mary, Joseph and all the disciples prayed throughout their lives. As Saint Jerome insisted, to know the Lord we must know the Hebrew scriptures. In them we find the very mysteries that guided the young Jesus to maturity and his ministry. They are still the living and effective Word of God.
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.