Eph 4:1-6 United in Faith

TRANSCRIPT

TTONYA: Father Don and I are back. This segment we will be discussing Ephesians 4:1-6.

FR. DON: The second reading this Sunday calls us to live in unity and harmony, as we are all part of one body in Christ. It’s a short reading. So let me read it.

Brothers and sisters: I, 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.

TONYA: Why are these verses important to Catholics?

FR. DON: We are all about unity. Unity in Christ, guided by the Holy Spirit. This unity transcends individual differences and calls us to embrace the richness of diverse gifts and charisms. The passage also highlights the centrality of humility, gentleness, patience, and love in preserving this unity.

TONYA: How can we apply these teachings in our daily lives?

FR. DON: Each of us is blessed with distinct abilities and skills, and we are encouraged to utilize them for the benefit of all. One practical application is exercising patience and maintaining an open mind when interacting with others in the parish, particularly during instances when the parish is divided over an issue. This nurtures a sense of harmony and allows the parish to grow. Empathy and understanding are important.

TONYA: That is true at the hospital where I work. Even among my friends. Creating a culture of inclusion and respect, appreciating the diverse backgrounds and experiences that each person brings, fosters unity.

FR. DON: It’s important to have unity in every aspect of life. Wherever we are, and whoever we are with, there will be challenges and disagreements. And this is no more true than when we gather for Mass, when we join with fellow believers in offering our thanksgiving and worship to God.

TONYA: In August 2023, I had an incredible experience at World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal. It was so cool to see a half-million young Catholics from diverse backgrounds and cultures coming together for the Eucharistic celebration. Pope Francis told all of us in his homily that we were not there by mistake. Each one of us were called there. And get this. God calls us not by our Facebook or Instagram handle, but by our name. My name. Tonya Marie.

FR. DON: The next World Youth Day will be held in Seoul, Korea, in the summer of 2027.

TONYA: Even though we had language barriers and cultural differences—

FR. DON: It will be the first one in a Christian-minority country. I’m sorry, Tonya. Go ahead.  I didn’t mean to interrupt.

TONYA: We all shared in the same bread and cup. It was mind-blowing to witness the unity that went beyond our human limitations. I remember standing there, surrounded by thousands of young people, feeling connected in a way I had never experienced before. The powerful symbol of unity in the Eucharist really hit home. I remember thinking how I was part of something much bigger – the body of Christ.

FR. DON: Indeed. As St. Paul says, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all.”

There is usually not a direct connection between the second reading and the other two, for a Sunday Mass. But this week there is. Do you see it?

TONYA: I do. We all face challenges and pressures that can make us feel isolated or misunderstood. But when we come together in the Eucharist, those walls come down. We’re not just individuals struggling on our own – we’re a community that supports and uplifts one another, with Christ at the center. Whenever I participate in the Eucharist, I really soak up a sense of belonging. It empowers me to face whatever life throws my way.

FR. DON: I think this brings us back to Father Irvin’s homily that we were discussing, in part, during the first segment. Listen to what he says, “There are those who think that going to church doesn’t accomplish much. They tell me, “I don’t go to Mass, Father, because I don’t get anything out of it.” How did Father Irvin answer? “Why not go to Mass and give God what little you’ve got, and then see what happens?” He then continues, “After all, the apostles only had five barley loaves and two fish. They gave what little they had. God took it, blessed it, and look what happened!”

And what bout those walls that came down for you, Tonya, whenever you go to Mass, that you referred to earlier? Listen again to Father Irvin. When he was a young man, “he never dreamed that the Berlin Wall would come down. He never dreamed that the Communist Empire would collapse.” He describes how “he never thought that black folks and white folks would ever be able to get along with each other.” He never dreamed “that polio would be eradicated, or that a man would walk on the moon.”

And then I especially got a kick out of what he says next, “Even the comic book writers,” he says, “with their fantastic dreams never envisioned something called the Internet.”

Before all those things he talked about came to fruition, before our hopes and dream come true, what do we do? Where do we go? We have the Eucharist. We have Jesus who is the center of our lives. That is why as St. Paul states in the second reading, we are “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…”

TONYA: Jesus is central. As the Responsorial Psalm states. It is his hand that feeds us; he answers all our needs.

FR. DON: You are absolutely right. And the Eucharist is a powerful reminder of that truth.

TONYA: Well that is a wrap for today’s podcast. Thank you, Father Don, for your insights on Ephesians 4:1-6.

FR. DON: Thank You for your insights on World Youth Day.

TONYA: Don’t forget to stay tuned for our future podcasts as we continue to explore our faith and its relevance in our daily lives by looking at the Sunday readings. Until next time, keep Christ at the center, and let His love guide your path.

FR. DON: May God bless you all. Thanks for listening!