Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: May 12, 2024

Date: Solemnity of the Ascension  

Scripture Text:  Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13

Brothers and sisters, I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature to manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ. 

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The second reading for today is drawn from the Letter to the Ephesians credited to the Apostle Paul in which he encourages the faithful to labor together in the Spirit. This unity of the diverse members builds up the Body of Christ to the benefit of all members and the glory of our Savior.  

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I work for unity? Do I appreciate the LORD’s work through others? Do I cooperate with the Spirit’s grace to unify us as the living Body of Christ?

Praying:

LORD, You came among us for us all, for the salvation of all of humanity. You sent the Spirit to preserve the unity of your living body here on earth, to grace us with the bond of peace, of wholeness, and holiness, and to gift us for those ministries You call us to specifically and individually so that we might grow into your cohesive and united living body here on earth. Grant that we may live in a manner worthy of the calling You have given to each of us as your individual disciples and together as Christian communities across the world. Amen.