Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things;” vss. 8-9
Ephesians 3:1-12
It was apparent to Paul and some other leaders in the early Church that the good news revealed in Christ Jesus had actually been present ages before at the dawn of time. When the Hebrew people began to think of themselves as the people of God their prophets regularly reminded them of God’s steadfast mercy and unconditional love. Jesus too spoke of grace and forgiveness and after his death his followers pointed to him as the one in whom the love of God had become incarnate. They saw him as the Messiah or Christ, but were slow to realize that his mission was to all people of all time. Paul’s special calling was to help people realize that the boundless riches of Christ, revealed in Jesus, were not just for the Jews, but for the Gentiles as well. It is immensely difficult for people to open their minds to the richness and diversity of God’s mercies. Some never get to the point where they can acknowledge that people of other faiths or religions are included in the family of God. But the mysteries of God are so much greater than our narrow views and parochial positions. And what a blessing it is when we finally get it!
Thought for the Day: When and how was my mind opened?
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