“…that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” (Ephesians 1:17-23, OSB)
As we stand in the presence of the living God, let us turn our hearts toward the words of the holy Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians, particularly his prayer for the believers in Ephesus. These words reveal to us the splendour of God’s divine wisdom, the richness of His calling, and the majesty of Christ’s authority over all creation. They help us realise the immeasurable grace given to those who are called into the Body of Christ and of the power that is at work in us through faith.
In this prayer, the Apostle Paul does not simply offer words of encouragement—he presents to us a vision of the divine reality in which we, as members of Christ’s Church, participate. This passage is not concerned with earthly success or material gain; it lifts our minds to the spiritual riches that come from union with Christ. Paul’s prayer is that the faithful may receive wisdom, not the wisdom of the world, but divine wisdom—a wisdom that comes from the Father of glory Himself. This wisdom is not an abstract concept, nor is it attained by the intellect alone, but it is given through revelation, through the opening of the eyes of the heart, so that we may behold the greatness of God’s calling.
St. Paul speaks of the hope to which we have been called. This is not an uncertain or wavering hope, but a firm and unshakable confidence in the promises of God. This hope is grounded in Christ’s resurrection, in the unbreakable covenant He has established with His Church. It is the hope of eternal life, of sharing in the glory of the saints, and of being brought into perfect communion with God. The world seeks hope in temporary things—in wealth, in human accomplishments, in transitory pleasures—but these all pass away. The Christian, however, stands on a foundation that cannot be shaken. We are called to live in this hope, to let it shape our thoughts, our actions, and our very identity. This hope is not passive; it is a calling, a summons to holiness, a beckoning toward the heavenly kingdom. To walk in this hope is to live with our eyes fixed not on the things of this world but on the eternal inheritance prepared for us.
Paul also speaks of the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. The Church is not an institution of human making, but the dwelling place of God. The saints, those who have been sanctified by the Holy Spirit, are the living members of the Body of Christ, and in them, the riches of God’s glory are revealed. This inheritance is not something we receive only at the end of time; it is something we participate in now, as members of Christ’s Holy Church.
The saints—both those who have gone before us and those living among us—are a testament to the greatness of God’s work in humanity. Their lives are a witness to the transforming power of divine grace. The Church is not a gathering of the strong and the self-sufficient, but of those who have been made strong through the power of Christ. Through the prayers of the saints, through their intercessions, and through their example, we are called to share in their inheritance, to strive for holiness, and to become vessels of God’s glory in this world.
St. Paul then speaks of the immeasurable greatness of God’s power toward us who believe. This power is not like the power of kings or rulers, nor is it like the strength of armies or nations. It is the power of the Resurrection, the power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at the right hand of the Father. This power is the very life of God, the same divine energy that created the heavens and the earth, the same power that will bring all things to completion on the Last Day. This power is not distant, nor is it reserved for a select few—it is at work in all who believe. It is the power that strengthens us in our struggles, that lifts us up when we fall, that enables us to persevere in times of trial. It is the power that transforms sinners into saints, that turns despair into joy, that heals wounds and restores what has been broken. But for this power to be effective in us, we must be willing to receive it. We must surrender ourselves completely to our Lord Jesus Christ, allowing His grace to work within us, purging us of all that is unworthy and filling us with His divine life.
Paul concludes by proclaiming Christ’s absolute authority over all things. He has been raised above all principality, power, might, and dominion—above every name that is named, not only in this age but in the ages to come. There is no power, no force, no ruler that stands above Him. Every enemy will be put under His feet, and all things will be brought into subjection to His reign. Yet Christ is not a distant king ruling from afar—He is the Head of the Church, and the Church is His Body. This means that His life flows into us, that His victory is our victory, and that His authority is at work in the world through His Church. The Church is not an earthly organisation; it is the fullness of Christ who fills all in all. It is through the Church that Christ continues His work of salvation, sanctifying and transforming the world.
As we reflect on these words, we must ask ourselves: Do we seek the wisdom and revelation of God? Do we live in the hope of His calling? Do we recognise the power of God at work in us? These are not abstract questions; they are the foundation of our Christian life.
To seek God’s wisdom means to immerse ourselves in prayer, in the study of the Bible, and in the life of the Church. It means turning away from the distractions and deceptions of the world and fixing our eyes on Christ. To live in hope means not to be swayed by the anxieties and uncertainties of this world, but to stand firm in the knowledge that God’s promises are sure. To embrace the power of God means to allow Him to work through us, to transform us, and to use us for His glory.
May we be a people who seek the wisdom of God, who live in the hope of our calling, and who walk in the power of the risen Christ. May our lives be a testimony to His glory, and may His Holy Church shine forth as the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
May God bless you +
Fr. Charles
21 May 2023
