In today's first reading, Ephesians 4: 7-16, St. Paul reminds us that "grace [has been] given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift,...that he...descended...[and] ascended...that he might fill all things...[H]e gave some as Apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers," [and so on,] "to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry"--whatever ministry to which each of us has been called-- for building up the Body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood/ [womanhhood] to the extent of the full stature of Christ,....[that] living the truth in love, we should grow in every way into him who is the head, Christ...."
Grow to full stature in Christ Jesus! Become mature men and women, that is become Christ, be Christ, through Christ and for Christ! Nothing less! Nothing short of attaining that goal. We are called to live the truth of who we really are in this world! Jesus is not the exception of who each man/woman is but, on the other hand, the example of who each of us is in Christ, through Christ and for Christ. In Ephesians 4: 1-6, Paul says to us: "...live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace; one Body and one Spirit...." That Body is the Body of Christ!
In 2 Cor 5: 21, St. Paul reminds us that for "our sakes God made Jesus who did not know sin, to be sin, so that in him we might become the very holiness of God, " that is the Body of Christ, Christ Himself! That is why St. Paul said of Himself: It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me.
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