Listen

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

Ephesians 1:3-6

Think

She was surrounded by a small group of friends all huddled near her locker. Even from a distance, I could tell that something was up. As I got closer, I saw her clutching something in her hand. When our eyes connected, she smiled widely, broke through the group of friends, and shoved the paper in my face. I knew quickly what all the excitement and emotion was about. This young woman, whom I had the pleasure of coaching from a very young age, had just received a full-ride basketball scholarship! There is nothing quite like being rewarded and chosen to do something that you’re passionate about.

It’s important to remember that God has chosen us from the beginning and has uniquely gifted us each with our own spiritual blessings. Our task is to continue to open ourselves to discover those spiritual blessings, because God has chosen us to make God known through sharing those blessings with others.

Brian Prior

Pray

Giving God, thank you for the way you have uniquely gifted me. Help me to continue to share my gifts with others. Amen.

Go

O God,
who has made the most sacred night to shine
with illumination of the true light,
grant, we pray, that, as we have known
the mystery of that light upon earth,
we may also perfectly enjoy it in heaven;
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Gelasian Sacramentary (8th C.)