Today the selected readings from St Paul to the Ephesians will conclude our opportunity to understand further the spirituality of the man. As we know his was alife that had the power of exciting the heats and lives of many even to this very day.
Ephesians 6:1-9 includes such verbs or verbal forms as "obey," "honor," "bring up," "be obedient" and "willingly serve" to instruct the people about the Christian way of life. What actions are these that we evaluate in our lives to determine the worth, the value of what we do?
Paul is saying that we do what we do or do not do occurs because of one or another of two basi reasons or forces that give our lives impetus. The first is this: actions are at root driven by commitment to live as Jesus Christ has taught us to live. The second reason is this: actions are carried out because of a commitment to the power of a spirit contrary to Jesus Christ. It is engaging in either one or the other that dictates the way we live.
Yes, Paul speaks about slavery and the life of a servant. Gratefully times have changed at least in our country and on most levels of our social being. However, his message is as valid for those who live in freedom as for victims of slavery. He stresses that before slavery, we are, all of us, equal to one another: we are God's children.
So, regardless of one's position in society, in academia, even in religion, we are God's children. Some years ago friend we elevated from his position as Bishop to the College of Cardinals. A reporter from his home town in New England spoke with the Cardinal's mother. He said something like this: "You must be very proud today." Her reply was, perhaps, more than he expected: "I have been proud of all my sons -- no one of them is any better than the other. Each of them has special talents but what gives me the greatest sense of pride or satisfaction is that each one of them seeks to do the will of God in his chosen profession." The stunned reported ended the interview with these words: "Well, I guess that sums it up for us, doesn't it?"
