Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: March 10, 2024

Date:  4th Sunday of Lent

Scripture Text:  Ephesians 2:4-10

Brothers and sisters: God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us,  even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ — by grace you have been saved —, raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so no one may boast. For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The second reading for today comes from the Letter to the Ephesians and stresses the mercy of the LORD shone to us through Jesus Christ. We have life, not because of our works but because of the LORD’s mercy and Christ’s sacrifice for us. Truly, we are brought to life in Christ; we are saved by grace.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Can I set down my pride and humbly accept the LORD’s gift through Christ of life?  

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, your love is boundless, unfathomable at times to us. Yet we believe that your gift to us of your only-begotten Son is the gift of salvation. Send your Spirit to stir within us the humility to accept that it is not us nor our works that brought this eternal gift. Grant that we may embrace your gift, proclaim your gift, proclaim Christ. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.