“Jesus Unites Us to Build in Love”
“For the Souls in Purgatory – Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord”
Ephesians 4:1–16
I, then, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore, it says:
“He ascended on high and took prisoners captive;
he gave gifts to men.”
What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended into the lower [regions] of the earth? The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.
And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ, so that we may no longer be infants, tossed by waves and swept along by every wind of teaching arising from human trickery, from their cunning in the interests of deceitful scheming.
Rather, living the truth in love, we should grow in every way into him who is the head, Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, with the proper functioning of each part, brings about the body’s growth and builds itself up in love.
Grace Prayed For
Pray for the grace to live as one who belongs fully to Christ’s Body — to share your gifts generously, to receive from others with humility, and to grow daily in the love that makes Jesus visible in the world.
Reflection
As I pray with these words, I hear the Spirit whispering that my life is not my own — it belongs to Christ and to His Body. Jesus has united me to Himself, not so I may walk alone, but so I may share in the communion of His love with all who call Him Lord. In humility, patience, and gentleness, I learn to bear with others, discovering that unity is not a vague idea but a lived reality, woven together by the Spirit’s bond of peace.
Jesus has given me His very self. Out of that gift, He entrusts me with a mission — to build up His Body, to live as one who belongs. My baptism joins me to a life greater than myself: one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. In this oneness, I learn to share the gifts I have received and to receive the gifts of others, recognizing that every part is needed, every person is precious.
This passage draws me into the truth that my daily encounters are not small or meaningless. Each conversation, each act of kindness, each word of encouragement is part of Christ’s Body being built up in love. Jesus has loved me into existence, redeemed me by His cross, filled me with His Spirit, and given me a place in His mission. And because He has loved me so personally, I can go forth to love others with the same tender mercy.
When I live this way, my life becomes a witness — not because I am perfect, but because Christ is alive in me. He unites me to His Body, and through me, He longs to restore all creation to the Father’s embrace.
Announcing Jesus in Our Lives
Ways to Evangelize in Daily Life
- Witness with your life: let patience, gentleness, and humility shine in your family, work, and friendships.
- Speak of Jesus naturally: share how His love has carried you through struggles, how prayer sustains you, or how His Body — the Church — has nourished you.
- Encourage others’ gifts: affirm and lift up the gifts you see in others as signs of Christ at work in them.
- Live reconciliation: seek peace in conflict, show mercy, and choose forgiveness.
- Serve generously: use your gifts, time, and presence to help those in need, revealing Christ’s love in action.
When Time Allows Reflect on the Posts in Library and Musings
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post