As we contemplate the readings for Feria III after the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, our hearts are drawn to two profound passages of Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6 and Matthew 22:34-46. Together, they provide us with a rich tapestry of theological insights, urging us toward Christian unity and love, anchored in humility and truth. Let us draw upon the wisdom of the Church Fathers to illuminate the depth of these readings and apply them to our spiritual lives.
Ephesians 4:1-6: A Call to Unity in Christ
St. Paul begins his exhortation in Ephesians 4:1-6 with a powerful plea for the faithful to live in a manner worthy of their calling:
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Eph 4:1-6)
This passage resounds with the theme of Christian unity, a unity that finds its source in God’s own unity—“one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” St. Paul emphasizes that this unity is to be lived out in humility, patience, and love. The Church Fathers saw in these verses a reflection of the Trinity, the perfect unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, which Christians are called to mirror in their relationships with one another.
St. John Chrysostom, in his homily on this passage, beautifully highlights the importance of humility in preserving unity. He teaches that it is only by being humble, by considering others more important than ourselves, that we can truly maintain peace within the body of Christ. He writes:
“Nothing makes one worthy of heaven as humble-mindedness and condescension.” (Homily IX on Ephesians)
For Chrysostom, unity in the Church is only possible when we embrace our calling to be humble, recognizing that our gifts and callings are from God, not from ourselves.
St. Augustine, in his treatise On Faith and Works, also reflects on this passage, reminding us that unity is preserved through love:
“Love is the root of all good things; in it the union of the faithful is founded. If love is not held fast, everything else is empty.” (On Faith and Works, Chapter 9)
Here, Augustine highlights that all Christian virtues, especially unity, flow from love, the central commandment of Christ.
Matthew 22:34-46: The Greatest Commandment and the True Nature of the Messiah
In the Gospel reading from Matthew 22:34-46, we hear the well-known account of the Pharisees testing Jesus by asking Him which commandment in the Law is the greatest. Jesus replies:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt 22:37-40)
This response by our Lord brings us to the heart of Christian life: love of God and love of neighbor. St. Augustine, in his Tractates on the Gospel of John, connects this teaching to the unity of the Church, noting that love of God necessarily leads to love of neighbor because all believers are united in Christ:
“He that loves his neighbor, loves God; for God is love, and whosoever loves, abides in God, and God in him.” (Tractate 17 on John)
Here, Augustine reflects on the profound link between love of God and love of neighbor—one cannot truly exist without the other.
Following this, Jesus challenges the Pharisees with a question of His own, asking them whose son the Christ is. They answer, “the son of David,” but Jesus points to Psalm 110, where David himself calls the Messiah “Lord.” This moment reveals that the Messiah is not merely a descendant of David in the flesh but is also David’s Lord, the eternal Son of God. St. Hilary of Poitiers, in his commentary on Matthew, explains:
“In this way, He shows the Pharisees that the Christ they expected was not only David’s son according to the flesh, but also David’s Lord according to His divine nature.” (Commentary on Matthew 22)
Christ’s divine nature is revealed here, reminding us that our faith is not in a mere earthly king but in the eternal Word made flesh. This understanding deepens our worship of Christ as both true God and true man, fully worthy of our love and devotion.
The Path to Holiness: Humility, Unity, and Love
Together, these readings and reflections from the Church Fathers offer us a clear path to holiness: humility, unity, and love. In a world that often prizes division, pride, and self-interest, we are called as followers of Christ to something radically different. We are called to live in unity, striving for peace with one another, bearing each other’s burdens, and loving one another as Christ has loved us.
St. Gregory the Great, in his Pastoral Rule, emphasizes that true Christian leadership and discipleship are founded on humility and love:
“The humble keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace by preferring others to themselves, and by seeking not their own advantage, but that of their neighbor.” (Pastoral Rule, Part III)
His words remind us that whether in our families, parishes, or communities, we are to seek the good of others before our own, imitating Christ, who humbled Himself even unto death on a cross.
As we continue through this liturgical season, let us strive to embody the unity of the Spirit, to love God with our whole hearts, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. In doing so, we reflect the divine life of the Trinity and bear witness to the world of the truth of Christ, the eternal Lord who calls us into communion with Him.
Conclusion: A Prayer for Unity and Love
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who has shown us the way of love and unity. Grant us the grace to live in humility, to bear with one another in love, and to strive for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. May we love You with all our hearts, minds, and souls, and may we love our neighbors as ourselves. Through the intercession of the saints and the wisdom of the Church Fathers, help us to walk the path of holiness and reflect Your divine life in all that we do.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.