The Story of Blessings, Inheritance, and Renewal, Ephesians 1:1-23

In the first chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians, St. Paul lays down the foundation of all that he is going to discuss through the epistle. In this chapter we hear of the great blessings that have come to us from God the Father, through Jesus Christ, by the work of the Spirit in us. And so, this chapter reveals to us a story of salvation that involves blessings, inheritance, and renewal all because of who Jesus Christ is.

Image: Wheat Field with Cypresses, Vincent van Gogh, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Made New for Others, 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

St. Paul continues this week in his second letter to the Corinthians by telling them of the work of Christ and what that leads to in the life of believers. St. Paul is not to live for himself any longer because Christ has died for him and made him into a new creation. His sin is taken away and he is given the righteousness of God in Christ! This is true for us believers today! We live in the midst of a great exchange where Christ takes what is ours and gives us what is his.

Image: Irises, by Vincent van Gogh, public domain. Image location: https://picryl.com/media/vincent-van-gogh-irises-google-art-project-520910

Founded in the Spirit, Acts 2.1-21, John 14.8-17

As the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples on the first Pentecost of the Church, we ask why he came to dwell with and in the disciples. What did they immediately begin doing? Was it all about them speaking in different languages or was there a supreme purpose for that “tongue-speaking” on that Pentecost Sunday? Father Jeremiah explores these questions and helps us to understand the foundational role of the Spirit in our lives.

Image: Tongues of fire descend on the Apostles at Pentecost, Lithog, License: CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0). Found at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tongues_of_fire_descend_on_the_apostles_at_Pentecost._Lithog_Wellcome_V0034957.jpg. No changes made, see link for author