Thursday 17 October 2024

Today is Thursday the 17th of October, the feast of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, in the 28th week of Ordinary Time. Salt of the Sound sings, ‘Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus’. As you listen, begin to turn your focus on Jesus now, leaving all other cares at his feet. Turn your eyes upon Jesus Look full in His wonderful face And the things of the earth Will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace In the light of His glory and grace Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. Ephesians 1:1-10 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. This wonderful reading encourages us to see ourselves as God sees us: holy, blameless, forgiven and lavished with God’s grace. How do you feel as you listen to these words? We are chosen and gifted with wisdom to know God’s mysteries. What do these words convey to you about yourself and others? You may find this reading consoling or challenging. Either way, it speaks about our human and Christian destiny in Christ, as lived by St. Ignatius of Antioch, whose feast we celebrate today. What do you find yourself wanting to say in response to the reading, whether words of gratitude and praise or doubt and question? Listen out as the reading is repeated for any particular words that speak to you in the depths of your heart. What does God seem to be saying at this time? There are huge ideas encapsulated within this apparently simple reading. What most inspires you to respond? Take time now to speak to God from your heart. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.