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Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Prayer for Us Ephesians



Lectio                                  Ephesians 1:17-23

Brothers and sisters:
.


May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him.
May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe, in accord with the exercise of his great might, which he worked in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens, far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come.
And he put all things beneath his feet and him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.

Studium

Note this is a prayer.  Paul is praying for the Ephesians. He praises God, the people, and thanks God for the people.  Don't you just love the intimacy of this prayer? Not that it's not difficult!  I find the narrator, God the Father, and God the Son, not delineated.  Who's speaking?  Who's he?  I wish the book would capitalize God.  Besides, look how many subordinate clauses are there.  How am I to proclaim this reading?
   But this confusion makes me slow down and think.  Paul is asking for understanding, too.  He prays that the Ephesians not only know God with their minds but also their hearts

Meditatio

What Paul wants for the Ephesians is the same thing I want for all.  I want everyone to know the Lord, to grow in the knowledge of Him and His teachings.  This God is awesome but not fearsome.  He has given us everything.  This prayer is for all, for all He has done for us.
     Note how Paul uses the word, "all" three times in the last sentence.
And he put all things beneath his feet and him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.
It is clear that Paul is praying for all of us, Ephesians et al

Oratio

Beloved,
      May You Who created all, enlighten my heart with the riches of Your glory.  Please give me more faith, a greater love of You and Your people, hope for mankind, and the peace of acceptance to Your Divine Will.  I ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Contemplatio

Holy Spirit remain with me, always.

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