10.29.12

Lectio: : Eph 5.21-33

 
Meditatio: "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her." Eph 5.25

                               
Oratio: "O God, at times we fail to hear what You want us to hear when You speak to us.

I remember that Paul’s advice to wives and husbands in his letter to the Ephesians is often interpreted as putting the wives down - but his message is about order with a clear directive to all husbands to love their wives as Christ loves us -totally and unconditionally.

Grant that I may reflect prayerfully on biblical passages before concluding its meaning and if my conclusion is troublesome seek the advice of an expert - a biblical scholar - for its meaning.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

 

Operatio: reflect on "handed over"; to submit to another; Christ submitted Himself to Pilate and gave of Himself totally for our salvation and for our good. In prayer thank Jesus for is great love that He showed in dying and rising and then sharing His victory over death with us; and then strive to love others unconditionally as He loves us.

Tomorrow's reading: Eph 6.1-9