The Special Gift of Abba Father.

"You breathed your Spirit upon the apostles, and gave them the power of forgiveness:
set all men free today from the prison of sin."  (Liturgy of the Hours - Lauds on the Feast of Pentecost).

"Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the holy ones who are in Ephesus and faithful in Christ Jesus: grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

"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.

"In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved.

"In Christ we have redemption by his Blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us.

"In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us the mystery of his will in accord with his favor that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times, to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth." (Ephesians 1: 1 - 10).

Can you count all the blessings Abba Father lavishes on us the "Beloved" in our key Scripture? These blessings come through His Son because of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus shed for all men. 

OK. Let's try to count them:
#1. The Holy Spirit.
#2. Prayer, Word of God, Eucharist, Reconciliation.
#3. Peace and Forgiveness.
#4. Our Purpose in life and Power to accomplish it.
#5. His Presence.
#6. Provisions and Protection.
#7. Faith, Patience, Wisdom, Courage and Contentment.

How do I unpack all this from Ephesians 1: 1 - 10?
When you read the Scriptures, ask the Holy Spirit to help you to unpack the meaning. You mix the living word for the day with faith and your personal experience.

Let us bless "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens" for He is a Promise-Maker and a Promise-Keeper.

"In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised holy Spirit,  which is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1: 13 - 14).
Amen.  Alleluia!

10.13  "Cling to the rosary as the creeper clings to the tree, for without our Lady we cannot stand." (St Teresa of Kolkata).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com