Beyond discouragement

Life may not be going very well right now.

In today’s first reading (Ephesians 1:1-10), Saint Paul reminds us of the blessings that are ours and God’s unstoppable plan for our salvation: untouchable by any discouragement or problem.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,
as he chose us in him,
before the foundation of the world,
to be holy and without blemish before him.

In love he destined us
for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ,
in accord with the favor of his will,
for the praise of the glory of his grace
that he granted us in the beloved.

In Christ we have redemption by his Blood,
the forgiveness of transgressions,
in accord with the riches of his grace
that he lavished upon us.

In all wisdom and insight,
he has made known to us
the mystery of his will in accord with his favor
that he set forth in him
as a plan for the fullness of times,
to sum up all things in Christ,
in heaven and on earth.