This week’s Letter to the Ephesians, though probably not composed by Paul, captures his spirit and his consistent call for unity: One body, spirit, hope, faith, baptism, and God of all. But, Paul warns, true Christian unity can only be achieved by living the threefold virtues of faith, hope, and love with humility, gentleness, and patience.

According to the Letter to the Ephesians, Christ brings peace, gathers together those who were separated, breaks down divisions, and reconciles people with one another and with God. And he does all this through his death, which put hatred to death. What can you do to create unity with and among those around you—to make “one new person in place of the two”—even if this effort requires some sacrifice?

Jesus’ empowering and “sending” of the apostles (in Greek: apostolos, “one who is sent”) to extend his mission of healing reflects the missionary strategy of the Early Church.

When I am weak, Saint Paul said, “then I am strong.”

Scripture’s marvelous word this week is that God wants creation to live and to be whole.

Where does God or your faith “amaze” you? The neighbors and relatives of Elizabeth were amazed not only at the fact that the new baby was going to have a name different from his ancestors but also that Zechariah confirmed it by being released from his muteness—and the first thing Zechariah did was to burst forth blessing God.

The readings this week show that what is small, hard to see, and even invisible can have vast importance. Whether it’s the tender shoot of the cedar tree or the tiny seed of the mustard plant, what seems slight now will become something mighty. “We walk by faith, not by sight,” the 2nd Letter to the Corinthians says; we hope in that what is unseen and in the future will come to pass.

While all the sprinkling of blood in the first reading may be a little more gory detail than you might have wanted, the story of this ritual offers you something to consider for the celebration of the Body and Blood of Christ.

Saint Paul says an incredible thing: Through Jesus you can become a true child of God, and not only children but heirs, welcomed with full membership into God’s family, and not only heirs but “joint heirs,” able to call God “Father” just as Jesus does.

In the Pentecost Day reading from the First Letter to the Corinthians, Saint Paul notes the different kinds of abilities and forms of service each member of the Christian community has.