Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: October 24, 2024

Date: Thursday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text: EPHESIANS 3:14-21

Brothers and sisters:

I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power at work within us, to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The first reading from the Letter to the Ephesians brings us Paul’s prayer for the faithful to the all-present and all-powerful Father Almighty that we may be strengthened through the Spirit, that we may know the love of Christ when He dwells in our hearts, and that we be filled with the fullness of the LORD.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I seek the “fullness of God” in my prayers and with my life? Do I desire with my whole being to know and love the LORD?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, grant that I may be strengthened through your Spirit for my life, a gift from You. Help me to open myself to your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, so that He might dwell in my heart, and I might know His love that surpasses knowledge. Fill me, LORD, with the fullness of your transformative love, inform my mind so that I might conform my will to yours. I 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.