God chose us before the foundation of the world.
On this 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, St. Paul in his letter to the Ephesians,
exclaims, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has
blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us
in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before
him.” These verses invite us to recognize the numerous blessings God has
bestowed upon us and reflect on our response to His boundless generosity.
St. Paul’s message reminds us that our existence and salvation are not mere
happenstance but deeply rooted in God’s divine choice and love. Before the
foundation of the world was laid, God chose every one of us in Christ. This
choice does not negate our free will or personal responsibility, but rather, it is an
invitation to respond to God’s love. Our hearts should be filled with gratitude and
humility; every good thing in our life is a gift from God.
Living in a world that celebrates self-reliance and personal achievement, it
can be challenging to see these blessings as gifts from God. We may attribute
our successes to our hard work, intellect, or abilities, but let us not forget that our
talents and opportunities are blessings from God. This mindset can distance us
from a true relationship with God, who desires us to acknowledge and embrace
His presence.
In today’s Gospel reading, St. Mark, challenges us as we witness Jesus
sending out His disciples, commissioning them to preach, heal, and cast out
demons. However, this mission was not limited to the twelve. As followers of
Christ, we are all called to go forth and share the Good News. The question is:
Are we ready to answer this call? This call can be challenging. It requires
stepping out of our comfort zones, facing rejection, and making sacrifices. Yet,
through this mission, we not only live out our identity as blessed and chosen
children of God, but we also have the power to transform the world. When we
respond to His call, we become not just recipients of His grace and love but
conduits of it, transforming the world around us with hope and healing.
Dear brothers and sisters, to embrace this mission, we must first know God’s
blessings; this awareness begins with gratitude. As we go forth today and this
week, let us carry St. Paul’s words in our hearts. Let us thank God for the
blessings God has poured into our lives and share these blessings. Let us
respond to Jesus’ call with willing hearts, eager to share His love with the world.
In doing so, we honor the God who chose us before the foundation of the world
and blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens. Together, we can
amplify the impact of God’s blessings and His love in the world.Fr. Dominic Toan Tran, Pastor