Our Lady of the Valley   208-459-3653

De las comunidades visitadas o fundadas por San Pablo, los efesios serían los que más se parecen a muchas parroquias aquí en los Estados Unidos. Éfeso era un puerto marítimo, con gente de todo el Mediterráneo. Tenía el gran templo de Artemisa, una de las siete maravillas del mundo antiguo. La iglesia en Éfeso consistió en convertidos judíos y griegos, así como algunos que provenían de cultos de misterio. Independientemente de sus antecedentes, San Pablo le recuerda a las comunidades que lo más importante es que todos ellos pertenecen a Cristo. Y es a través de él que recibieron la promesa de la vida eterna. Si bien el punto de origen es una buena referencia, es el destino final que es más ¡importante!

Because St. Mark’s gospel is so brief, during his cycle of readings give Sundays from St. John’s gospel are inserted so it will stretch until Advent. The selection from St. John comes from chapter six, commonly called “the Bread of Life” discourse. This chapter is John’s emphasis on the Eucharist (because in John, Jesus washes feet at the Last Supper). Today’s gospel comes from the beginning of chapter six, the multiplication of the loaves and fish. Jesus begins by supplying for the physical needs of the people before guiding them toward a deeper understanding of their spiritual need which only he is able to fill. As we listen to John’s gospel, may our hearts be open to Jesus’ message, so that he may fill us as well.

Of the communities visited and/or founded by Paul, the Ephesians would be the one most like many parishes here in the United States. Ephesus was a seaport, with people from all over the Mediterranean. It had the great temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The Church in Ephesus consisted of Jewish and Greek converts, as well as some who came from mystery cults. Regardless of their backgrounds, St. Paul reminds the community that what is most important is that all of them belong to Christ. It is through him that they received the promise of eternal life. While the point of origin is a nice reference, it is the final destination that is most important!