A spirit of wisdom and revelation

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Bless the Lord my Soul

The Community of Taizé

Today is Sunday the 4th of January, in the season of Christmas.

Bless the Lord, my soul, who leads me into life. The most important thing for me to do now, as I enter into prayer, is to let go for a moment, to let go of my own concerns, my own worries and fears and reluctance, and let myself be led by God, trusting that God, who loves me, will lead me into life.

3:21

Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians.

Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18

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.

I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love towards all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints.

5:24

We could receive today’s reading as an extended benediction after the initial opening verses of St Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Or we might feel drawn to approach these verses as theological discussion on being chosen and predestination. Try to receive them today, as a gift and in celebration of God’s grace.

Paul writes, ‘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’. Reflect on any spiritual blessings you have recently received from God. Take time to enjoy the memory of these, recalling how it feels to be blessed.

‘He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world...’  What does it mean to you be chosen in Christ?

As you listen to the reading again, imagine the Father and the Son gazing upon you with great love, you a child of God.

8:45

Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18

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.

I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love towards all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints.

10:27

Paul writes, ‘...to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.’ We belong to the Beloved. As you ponder this grace in your heart, perhaps you can invite this sense of belonging to go with you into the week ahead and even to deepen as you journey with the Lord throughout the year.

12:33

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