Redemption | Redemptio

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1:7).

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We know more about the church of Ephesus than any other church in the New Testament. This is because of a great deal of correspondence concerning this church and the apostle Paul also stayed in Ephesus on two occasions; a brief stopover and a prolonged stay of about two to three years.  He was the first Christian missionary to this city. Therefore, it was also an important city in the early Church history.  

In Ephesians 1 we read about the wonderful spiritual riches in Christ (Ephesians 1:3) and how God provide these riches for us, including our redemption. In Him, our Lord and Saviour, we have redemption. We can not trust in anything, or anyone else for our redemption. 

In the time of the apostle Paul, Ephesus was a huge port city. It was one of the largest cities in the Roman empire. A metropolis of commerce and finance. In this city there was also an enormous pagan temple dedicated to Artemis. This temple was the largest Greek temple ever built.  It was central to Ephesian life and also visited by many. We can imagine how the Ephesians came to this temple daily and worshipped a false idol, the lady of Ephesus. 

The apostle Paul wants to make sure that the Ephesian believers understand this incredible important truth:  in Christ we have redemption. In Him we are fully set free. In no one else. Only in Christ.  Paul's message is also for us today. We are redeemed, free from bondage and are no longer under condemnation. We are fully free in Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour. We do not hope for it, because we already have it. 

Today, only a few fragments remains of the colossal temple at Ephesus. The British museum houses artefacts and remains of the goddess of Ephesus. In contrast, we know that our Redeemer lives. As we read in in Job 19:25: "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.'' Amen

Reflection on Ephesians 1:1-12 by Hanne

Singaculum apostolatus | Seal of my apostleship

"For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 9:2).

Apostle Paul was searching for his own identity. He wanted to understand himself better so he could help other people. He knew that he was an apostle, but some people were questioning Paul's authority because he wasn't one of the original Twelve and because he worked with his hands.

He was called by Jesus Christ. Jesus met him on the road to Damascus, and he saw Him with his own eyes (1 Corinthians 9:1). But he also calls himself "the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle," because he persecuted the Church of God (1 Corinthians 15:9).

Nonetheless, he became a faithful servant of Christ and an ambassador for Him (2 Corinthians 5:20). He was beaten, put in prison, and treated like trash (1 Corinthians 4:11-13). When people said he was not a real apostle, he defended himself boldly (2 Corinthians 11:5).

He told the Corinthians, "You are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 9:2). You are my living letter that everyone can read (2 Corinthians 3:2-3). This is what Christian leadership looks like: I serve you, not the other way around. My power comes from my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). I don't demand my rights - I give up everything for the Gospel (1 Corinthians 9:12). "By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me" (1 Corinthians 15:10).

My life proves the Gospel is real when you see Jesus in me - in my love, my sacrifice, and my willingness to suffer for you (Galatians 6:17).

Now, let us ask ourselves: Do we know who we really are? What do we want to achieve in our lives and in our communities? Isn't it enough to follow Jesus and become like Jesus to others?

Do you know your identity? Do you know yourself and your ministry? Maybe you also have sinned, but Jesus has helped you. He took pity on you. Therefore, preach the Good News and work as an apostle of Christ in your own way.

Let us sow spiritual seed among our brothers and sisters, just as Apostle Paul did in his time (1 Corinthians 9:11). Amen. 

Reflection on 1 Cor 9: 1-12 by Fr. Józef Trzebuniak SVD

(Listen to podcast here)

Quid habes | All you want

"Already you have all you want" (1 Corinthians 4:8).

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, challenges a way of thinking that focuses on getting everything you want in this world. He says, "You already have everything you want" (1 Corinthians 4:8). This verse is like a mirror, showing us our own lives. We truly have so much: good memories, supportive friends and family, active communities, and the everyday comforts we use. But even with more and more stuff, we often don't feel truly happy. We always want more money, not seeing how much we already have. Many of us, in our jobs or positions, might feel like kings and queens, able to lead and control.

But, as Christians, we're called to a different path: to be like an apostle. This means spending our lives helping others in the world, a way of life often misunderstood by those who care more about honor and status. To the world, Christian values might seem silly and weak. Paul himself wrote, "The message of the cross seems foolish to those who are lost, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18). He also highlighted this difference, saying, "We are fools for Christ's sake" (1 Corinthians 4:10).

A true follower of Christ always wants to learn more from God's Word. Their time on Earth isn't their real home, because they know that "our home is in heaven" (Philippians 3:20). Their work isn't about getting rich in this world, but about doing what God wants. As Paul encouraged, "Whatever you do, work with all your heart, as if you were working for the Lord, not for people" (Colossians 3:23). These followers of Christ try to help others, even when they're treated badly; they respond with kindness, even when hurt. They live out Paul's teaching: "Bless those who cause you trouble; bless and do not curse" (Romans 12:14).

Even when things are hard, these apostles of Christ don't give up. They gather in church, praying for "the worst people on earth and the garbage of the world," which shows how Paul humbly saw himself when he said, "We have become a show for the world, for angels, and for people" (1 Corinthians 4:9). They actively help lonely and poor people, finding strength and hope in God's Word. Also, God's Spirit lives in their minds, souls, and hearts, giving them power. As Paul said, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me" (Galatians 2:20). Because God lives in them, they truly rule as God's children, not by worldly power, but by the life-changing power of faith and helping others.

Reflection on 1 Corinthians 4:7-13 by Józef Trzebuniak.

(Listen to podcast here)

Attendite (Lk. 12:1)

 

Interestingly, in today's gospel, it is told that Jesus delivered special teaching for His disciples. Jesus taught them in a crowd of people, even as they were temporarily jostling. This is certainly not a coincidence. Because that was the method of Jesus’s teaching to the disciples. Jesus knew very well the situation of the disciples at that time. They are temporarily "in pride". They were praised by many people even by Jesus himself after returning from his mission. Walking closest to Jesus and being witnessed by many people was a great pride!

Beware! Beware is an alarm that reminds and even wakes up the disciples to stay awake with their situation. Jesus wanted the disciples to realize that they were being tempted to think, feel, and act like the Pharisees and the scribes. Disciples need to get out of such temptations quickly. Jesus wants none of His disciples to be carried away by the current of the environment but to remain strong in their mission and ministry with humility and sincerity.

Being praised by many for doing something good is a temptation to be proud. The Lord Jesus' warning was addressed to the disciples, is also a warning to us all. Jesus also doesn't want us to be tempted to be like the Pharisees. We may also be infected with the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, who are concerned with appearance and prestige alone. Let us repent and stay away from all things that make us hypocrites. Realize that hypocrisy will one day be exposed. What is covered by man, will be opened by God who looks into the heart.

By Fr. Fransiskus M. Diaz, SVD.

Nos diligimus (1 Jn. 4:19)

 “If love dwells in you, you have no enemy on earth”. This quotation, written by St Ephrem the Syrian, is meaningful and is not a piece of cake to put into practice as humans’ relation has its twists there and here.  People say that cultivating successfully and flourishing in relationships with other people is both an art and a long life process. 

The quotation by St Ephrem the Syrian hit the nail on head amidst my disappointment. I was hurt by a person that I consider as a friend. This message is totally lit as sometimes when I am over the moon, I might only read this message without further deliberation but when I am down, I could deeply resonate with the message. I believe each of us has ever experienced the moments that we are hurt by our closed ones. No one is immune to this situation. 

The psychologists and motivators have proposed so many methods and techniques on how to deal with other people. But, if we take a close look at these, the spirit behind all these teachings is to put ourselves as the center of everything. Unfortunately, all these things do not work well as humans are limited and our sins have corrupted our capacity to love God and people unconditionally. If we rely on ourselves, we will miserably fail.  

This verse should help us as the sons and daughters of God to build a good rapport with other people. God himself has demonstrated the true act of love by sending his begotten son dying on the cross. This deed shows one of God’s quality/identity that is love.  If we proclaim that we are Imago Dei, God’s image, we should live like He did. We are instructed to love people including the person who hurts us. Jesus prefers to keep loving us despite the fact that he knows that His love will not always be in return.    

When my friend had hurt me, I was tempted to feed up my ego by going away and shutting down all possible contact that I have with this friend without further discussion and reconciliation. And I would definitely end up being alone and lonely and I will never finish cooking up this issue in the future.  I will experience the same thing over and over If I don’t learn how to deal with this. Above all, the Word of God helped me to try to put myself on this friend’s shoes, find good things that this friend said, and talk about this issue with this friend. This was not easy as I had been reluctant to get interacted with people and I had lost my energy.  Again, the Word of God reminds me of being a son and daughter of God is not merely about His grace, blessings, and eternal life. Being a child of God means to readily suffer and bear the cross; doing uneasy and uncomfortable things out of my comfort zone.  Doing things that I don’t want to do and doing things that might be impossible for me to do. The grace of a child of God means to have the blessing to suffer with Him as Jesus has completed the hardest part and won the fiercest battle.  

By Deisyi, Indonesia.