12 July 2015
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Bible Study engages us on a number of different levels to enhance our understanding. Some passages call for intensive analysis, with the help of commentaries. Other texts draw us closer to their meaning and message by thoughtful, prayerful reflection. In both cases, good analysis leads to prayer, and deep prayer moves us to study.
To borrow an expression from St. Paul’s writing, the “height, depth, breadth and length” of this early Christian liturgical hymn invite us to step back in awe of the great mysteries before us. If we're really listening, passages like our reading from Ephesians this Sunday stop us in our mental tracks and invite us simply to gaze with our hearts at the depth of God’s revelation to us.
And what is revealed?
Our deep connection to a loving God. St. Paul uses profound and tender images in his desire that we KNOW this essential truth. Before the foundation of the world, we were already God’s beloved, blessed in God's Word (the Christ), chosen to be holy, destined for adoption, brought into existence for the praise of his glory.
Do these words of Paul give us pause?
We are redeemed by the blood of Christ. St. Paul reminds us that the gift of Christ’s redemption and forgiveness of sin were lavished upon us by the riches of God’s grace. Redemption: How can one word capture God's generosity which is beyond imagining. Is gratitude welling in our hearts?
God clues us into the divine plan. Wow. God's wisdom is given so that we might grow in knowledge of God's mysteries, perfected and embodied in Christ. We marvel at God’s desire for us to know him more deeply. Are we attuned to God’s voice?
How does God desire you to realize the dream of fullness of life and joy in Christ?
How could the church help with that?
The author, Ms. Barbara Gawle, leads Bible studies at her parish, Incarnation Church of Wethersfield, CT. She is a CBS graduate and the 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, the Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.
