The last Scripture reading in the major hour of the Easter season:
Make every effort
to preserve the unity
which has the Spirit as its origin
and peace as its binding force.
There is but one body and one Spirit,
just as there is but one hope
given all of you by your call.
There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
one God and Father of all,
who is over all,
and works through all,
and is in all.
The Easter experience has been a bit scattered for the early disciples. Some went into hiding, but some were bold enough to seek out the tomb. Some left Jerusalem, but turned back. Some were frustrated and tempted to go back to their professions. Today’s Church is no less scattered. We can’t even agree on an observance of Easter.
The message of Paul to Ephesus is unity. It weaves through the letter. It challenges us today as we emerge from our Eastertide churches and celebrations into the mission to which we’ve been entrusted.
Catholic Sensibility 