Season after Pentecost | 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15 (Psalm 78:23-29); Ephesians 4:1-16; John 6:24-35 | Semi-continuous first reading: 2 Samuel 11:26 - 12:13a (Psalm 51:1-12)
Growing in prayer is not simply acquiring a set of special spiritual skills. It is growing into Christian humanity.
I used to read Ephesians 4 and get that vague, warm glow we Mennonites feel when we see the word peace. Now the passage stops me cold.
In the Bible, forgiveness involves repayment of what is owed. One way to pay down the debt is through charity to the poor.
"Speak the truth in love," and "see that none of you repays evil for evil," exhorts St. Paul. Which is easier said than done.