Your Great Power

A Reflection on the Second Reading for Sunday, May 21st, 2023:
​The Ascension of the Lord

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Ephesians
1.17-23​

Brothers and sisters: I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.
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God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come.

And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the Church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Father, please heal my understanding and perception of Your power. When I hear of its “immeasurable greatness” there is a kind of fear in my heart. Instead of beholding You with awe and reverence, when I hear of power I associate it with examples of human misuse. 

I think of instances where people who possessed power acted in self-interested or purposefully destructive ways. The wounds and traumas of historic, and present, abuse of power are impossible to ignore, and they shape the way we interact in every community. I feel as if I have been trained to be suspicious and cautious of nearly anyone in a position of authority – even encouraged to cooperate in the dismantling and redistribution of power. The world proposes many solutions, but I question how effective any of our efforts can ever be without Your love, freely given. 

Help me understand how power can be held and used with perfect justice and mercy. Saint Paul points to the resurrection as the prime example of what power can accomplish with love as its source – it brings new, and eternal, life. I understand this to some degree, but, Holy Spirit, I want to know Your power experientially. I don’t want to be ruled by fear, but instead to rely on You and trust in Your goodness. Help me know You and learn to love all Your qualities, including Your power. Teach me to accept how power is woven into Christ’s identity and mission and, if it is your will, work through my many weaknesses to demonstrate to me and to others the greatness of Your power and love. Amen.




Kendra L.

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