Friday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

Today's first reading from St. Paul's Letter is to the Ephesians is simple, yet has much has much to commend to us. Most especially, St. Paul urges us, because of our unity through baptism into Jesus, to "live in a manner worthy of the great calling we have received." There is a lot of discussion throughout Ephesians concerning some of the Sacraments. We see the one hope to which we were c alled: one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God. Because of these we must bear with one another. But St. Paul does not simply tell us to bear with one another, he modifies this command with the phrase "through love."

So we must bear with one another through love. These is easy to do with those whom we love. This might be more difficult for us to live out with those who frustrate and annoy us. It is even more difficult to do this with those we might fear: the stranger on the street; or someone who may have hurt us personally. In the later part of today's Jesus seems to recommend reconciliation as well. Reconciliation is one way in whcih we can bear with one another through love.


Let us take the time today to think about ways we can better bear with one another through love. St. Paul mentions three ways: humility and gentleness, and patience. May be we could begin living St. Paul's advice with those we interact today. And then we can begin to bear with those we find it very difficult.

Jeff Morrow