Ephesians 1:11-23 (New Revised Standard Version)
11 In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance,[a] having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, 12 so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; 14 this[b] is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.
Paul’s Prayer
15 I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love[c] toward all the saints, and for this reason 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 18 so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. 20 God[d] put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. 22 And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Paul’s Prayer
15 I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love[c] toward all the saints, and for this reason 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 18 so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. 20 God[d] put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. 22 And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Some Thoughts on Today’s Reading—Pastor Pam
Last week, my brother, the family genealogist, sent me a picture of my Norwegian Great Grandmother Anna Grenstad. There she was looking straight at me standing in front of the family home at Port Orchard with the Puget Sound in the background. I am part her, I thought. And she lives in me today. There were times when I fearfully navigated Seattle city streets on my way to seminary, that she gave me courage. I recalled stories of how she crossed the Atlantic with three small children and unable to speak English. Now, that was courage. Anna, I recalled, walked these same city streets back in the day. If she could do it, so could I.
On All Saints Sunday we remember those who have come before us—specifically the people of the church who have taught us and loved us and gone before us in faith. As we light candles in their memory, we give thanks for how they shaped us and formed us into the people of faith we are today.
Ephesians links this faith, and all those who nurtured us then and now, to a faith of the Cosmos with Jesus as its head. 22 “And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” Ephesians 1: 22-23. While we remember the dear ones who have come before, we also remember Jesus who is at the center of all lives and life.
In Christ there is hope that springs up in all kinds of ways including the gifts of our ancestors.
Peace and Grace,
Pastor Pam