Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Today’s Reading  |  Ephesians 3:1–13 
This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him. I pray therefore that you may not lose heart over my sufferings for you; they are your glory. (NRSV)

Reflection
While I grew up in a church, faith did not become real for me until my husband and I started attending a church after our oldest daughter was born. At that time, I agreed to go back to church because it was simply a good thing to do. And then it happened. I started questioning in ways I had never questioned before. I wondered what I believed and if I believed.

On those Sundays, that congregation was in the habit of reciting the Apostles’ Creed weekly. Because I was questioning most everything of faith in those days, I would say aloud only those things in the creed that I could believe and I would silence myself during any of the phrases I doubted. And then on one of those Sundays, I had an experience a bit like Paul’s conversion experience. Something—a feeling—washed over me in the middle of the recitation of the creed. Suddenly I realized that there was truth in those words far beyond and way deeper than the words on the page. It felt like relief, and it was life changing.

When I read Paul’s words, I thought back to that Sunday. He referred to his experience as when “the commission of God’s grace was given” to him. He spoke of the sudden “knowing” of the boundless riches of Christ. He knew that he had inherited the promise of the gospel. He knew that he had access to God and that grace had been given to him, despite being the “very least of all the saints.”

When was the “commission of God’s grace” given to you? For whose sake was it given to you? I love the phrase, because it’s powerful to think that the “commission of God’s grace” has been given to me. I hope you know it’s been given to you, too.

Prayer
Gracious and loving God, thank you for “the commission of grace” you’ve given to me. Help me to use it for the sake of others. Amen.

Written by Judith L. Watt, Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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