Servant of the Word: Thursday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time

“The Preaching of St Paul at Ephesus”
by Eustache Le Sueur,1649

Readings for Thursday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time[1]

Commentary:

Commentary on Eph 1:1-10

The beginning of St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians (although in some early manuscripts the specific faith community name is omitted, leading some to believe it was written as a “circular” letter – to be passed around) begins with the standard introduction of the apostle. This is followed with a blessing, in thanksgiving for the salvation brought to the faithful through Christ’s forgiveness and redemptive actions. The passage concludes with St. Paul’s understanding that all promises will be fulfilled according to God’s mysterious plan.

The blessing in v.3ff provides –“A panoramic view of salvation that stretches from the past (election, 1:4) to the present (adoption, 1:5) to the future (recapitulation, 1:10). Like an orchestral overture, it introduces many themes to be developed in subsequent chapters. Structurally, Paul has organized this benediction around the work of the Trinity (CCC 257-58). The Father chooses us (Ephesians 1:4), the Son redeems us (1:7) and the Holy Spirit seals us (1:13). Notice, too, that Paul celebrates blessings traditionally linked with Baptism, such as sonship (1:5), grace (1:6), forgiveness (1:7), and sealing (1:13). These 12 verses comprise only one sentence in the original Greek. Paul’s benediction follows the format of the Hebrew berakah, i.e., a prayer of blessing and praise to God in elevated language (1 Chronicles 29:10-13; Tobit 13:1-18; Daniel 3:3-68)(CCC 1078, 2627)”[4]

CCC: Eph 1:3-14 2627, 2641; Eph 1:3-6 381, 1077; Eph 1:3 492, 1671; Eph 1:4-5 52, 257; Eph 1:4 492, 796, 865, 1426, 2807; Eph 1:5-6 294; Eph 1:6 1083; Eph 1:7 517, 2839; Eph 1:9-11 2823; Eph 1:9 257, 1066, 2603, 2807; Eph 1:10 668, 772, 1043, 2748

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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6

R. (2a) The Lord has made known his salvation.

Commentary on Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6

Psalm 98 is a song of praise and thanksgiving. We see in this selection how God is praised for the strength he lends his people and the salvation he brings to those who are faithful. From our perspective, knowing that he sent us his Son for our salvation, we see clearly the reference to Jesus as God’s saving hand is extended.

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Gospel: Luke 11:47-54

Commentary on Lk 11:47-54

Jesus continues his attack on the Pharisees. In this passage he begins by criticizing them for giving prophets respect (“…build the memorials”) only after they have been killed. Recounted explicitly are the death of Abel (see Genesis 4:8) and Zechariah (2 Chronicles 24:20-22). This emphasis provides a rationale for the Lord’s own later persecution.

The final “Woe:” “You have taken away the key of knowledge,” is a reference to the Pharisees’ rejection of Christ (who is the key of divine revelation). In rejecting Jesus they exhort the people who look up to them as teachers to also reject Christ (“…stopped those trying to enter.”).

CCC: Lk 11:39-54 579

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Homily:

Today we start with Jesus in the Gospel and go backward with scripture but forward in time. We begin with Jesus really laying into the Scribes and Pharisees because they refuse to see the spirit of God, and cling only to their traditions and the trappings of the Law. It would be as if one who professed Christianity were to drive past a person injured or being persecuted at the side of the road because they were late for Mass.

We follow the Lord’s attempt to move these misguided temple leaders with Paul’s opening profession to the Ephesians. This wonderful prayer is one of Paul’s gems.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who has blessed us in Christ

with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,

as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world,

to be holy and without blemish before him.

In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ,

in accord with the favor of his will,

for the praise of the glory of his grace

that he granted us in the beloved.

This is the message that Jesus was trying to get the Scribes and Pharisees to listen to. Here the love God has for us is realized, and the groundwork for our salvation is laid bare. The gifts the Lord brings us are enumerated, the spiritual blessings, our adoption by Christ, and finally the grace and peace he offers us.

Of course the difficult part is that we too are expected to accept that message and do our best to put it into practice, so those who follow us will see our example and follow the Lord. Indeed, our prayer today should be the one Paul wrote to the Ephesians, and, in our hearts, let us feel the hope and peace that prayer brings.

Pax

[1] The picture is “The Preaching of St Paul at Ephesus” by Eustache Le Sueur,1649

[2] S.S. Commemoratio