God's loving plan

0:03

Today is Thursday the 15th of October, the feast of Saint Teresa of Jesus, in the 28th week of Ordinary Time.

As you enter into prayer today, reflect on the deep love of God as David Gungor with Good Shepherd Collective sings, ‘What God Does Is Love’.

3:48

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.

6:13

This letter to the people of Ephesus carries a great sense of God’s loving plan for each one of us. Wherever you are, imagine God looking upon you with eyes of love.

Spend a moment counting your blessings: the material benefits you enjoy, the people who love you, your own gifts and talents, the joys in your life.

Everyone around you, everyone you meet today has had their faults and failings – their trespasses – forgiven, everyone is loved and redeemed by God. As you listen again to the reading, imagine this love and blessing being lavished upon everyone you can see now and everyone you will see today.

9:17

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.

11:23

What is your response, now, to this love? – to hearing that you have a part in God’s loving plan for the world?

13:28

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