Ephesians 3:2-12; Isaiah 12; Luke 12:39-48
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. (Todays Psalm Response)
A most ecumenical set of readings is offered to us in today's liturgy. The epistle to the Ephesians explains how the Jews themselves did not have a full understanding of God - that this was revealed over many generations, and that now this revelation was for all peoples. Paul also explains why God kept this full revelation hidden: it was always there to be seen if we only had eyes that could see it. This revelation shows in one final viewing how comprehensive and beautiful God's love for us all is.
Luke in his gospel today, warns us of the consequences of treating the Masters's possessions and people as our own. It might be felt legitimate to wage war on unbelievers, and indeed sadly our history is full of such wars, but if we do behave like that then we are guilty of hiding the glorious truth and the full meaning of the Good News from others - and God will not forget if we choose that! Note how it is not said to be easy to take the good news to people of other or no faith! But our Christian belief, and our Catechism, both make clear that we are to regard all people as God's people. There is only one God!
The Psalm is full of joy and promise as it contains the prophesy that all will draw water from the wells of salvation!