Daily Readings - Sun May 28 2017
Ephesians
17that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,18having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,19and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might20that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,21far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.22And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Matthew
16Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.17And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.18And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.19Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end 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.