Daily Readings - Sun May 28 2017

Second Reading - Ephesians 1.17-23

¹⁷so that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give a spirit of wisdom and of revelation to you, in knowledge of him¹⁸May the eyes of your heart be illuminated, so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and the wealth of the glory of his inheritance with the saints¹⁹and the preeminent magnitude of his virtue toward us, toward we who believe in accord with the work of his powerful virtue²⁰which he wrought in Christ, raising him from the dead and establishing him at his right hand in the heavens²¹above every principality and power and virtue and dominion, and above every name that is given, not only in this age, but even in the future age²²And he has subjected all things under his feet, and he has made him the head over the entire Church²³which is his body and which is the fullness of him who accomplishes everything in everyone

Gospel - Matthew 28.16-20

Matthew

Chapter 28

¹⁶Now the eleven disciples went on to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had appointed them¹⁷And, seeing him, they worshipped him, but certain ones doubted¹⁸And Jesus, drawing near, spoke to them, saying: "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth¹⁹Therefore, go forth and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit²⁰teaching them to observe all that I have ever commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, even to the consummation of the age.

Sermon

In today’s readings, we encounter powerful messages about the authority and mission given to us through Christ. The passage from Ephesians reminds us of the spiritual blessings we have been given, highlighting the wisdom and revelation that come from knowing God. It speaks of the hope of our calling and the richness of our inheritance in Christ, who is exalted above all things. The Gospel from Matthew, known as the Great Commission, shows Jesus entrusting His disciples with the mission to teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Trinity and instructing them to observe His commandments. Both readings emphasize the authority and power that come from God, and the responsibility that rests on us as followers of Christ. The context of these readings is deeply rooted in the early Christian experience. Ephesians, written by St. Paul, is a letter to a community of believers who were growing in their understanding of their newfound faith. It emphasizes the unity and richness of life in Christ, while also highlighting the exalted status of Christ as Lord of all creation. The Gospel reading from Matthew, on the other hand, captures a pivotal moment in the life of the disciples—Jesus’ final commission to them before His ascension. It underscores the universal mission of the Church and the enduring presence of Christ with His followers until the end of time. These readings are deeply connected, as they both point to the reality of Christ’s power and our participation in His mission. In Ephesians, we see the spiritual wealth and authority that Christ has won for us, while in Matthew, we are reminded that this authority is not just for our own benefit, but is given to us so that we might share the Good News with the world. Together, they call us to live with a sense of purpose and confidence, knowing that we are part of something much larger than ourselves. As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How am I living out the mission that Christ has entrusted to me? Am I sharing the Good News with others, not just in words, but in the way I live my life? Let us also remember that we are not alone in this mission. Christ has promised to be with us always, and He has given us the spiritual gifts and strength we need to fulfill our calling. May we, like the disciples, worship Him with faith, even when doubts arise, and may we go forth with courage to make His name known in a world that so desperately needs His love and light.