The Holy Great-Martyr Euphemia, the All-Famed.
Post-feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.
Ephesians 3:8-21; Mark 11:23-26.
Read Ephesians 3:8-21
In today’s reading, St. Paul speaks about the grace given to him “to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ” and “to bring to light” the mystery of God’s plan.
That grace was given to Paul, but the responsibility of evangelization did not end with Paul or the Apostles. The Gospel has reached us because generation after generation of Christians received it, embraced it, lived it, and passed it on. And now that responsibility falls upon us.
We are called not only to receive the Gospel and allow ourselves to be evangelized, but also to continue the work of evangelization—to help others discover what St. Paul calls the “unsearchable riches of Christ.”
There is a saying traditionally attributed to St. Francis of Assisi: “Preach the Gospel at all times; when necessary, use words.” Whether or not St. Francis actually said those exact words, the idea is profoundly Christian. Our lives must preach what our lips proclaim.
Jesus says something very similar: “By their fruits you will know them.” Our faith becomes visible through the way we treat others, forgive, serve, make sacrifice son their behalf, and love.
That is why St. Paul prays that we may be “rooted and grounded in love” and come to know “the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge.” Before we can bring Christ to others, that love must take root within us.
May we, together with all the saints, continue to embrace the love of Christ—and then carry that love into the world, not only by what we say, but especially by how we live.