EPHESIANS 3:16-19

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

TO PONDER

“The greatest tragedy is not death, but a life without purpose.” Pastor Rick Warren

St. Paul has given his life to bringing the gentiles (you and me) into the inheritance of the children of Israel; to graft us into the vine that is Christ Jesus, as St. John says. As much as this causes Paul suffering and pain from persecution, his ‘voice’ in Ephesians sounds exalted as he prays for the Ephesians and, by extension therefore, for us.

If your life feels without purpose, then you may also lack meaning and passion and a life without these is cold, empty, listless and without lasting joy. Read his prayer again and imagine a life for yourself that grasps the enormity of God’s love for you, his presence in you, and the Holy Spirit working God’s greatness for human unity and wellbeing (shalom) through you and all God’s people.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, reveal to me the enormity of God’s love for me. Holy Spirit reveal to me the enormity of God’s love for my neighbour. Come Holy Spirit and enliven me once more with the love of God. Amen.