Unity isn't the goal – it's the equipment. ✝️
Welcome to A Word of Hope for Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time (24 October 2026). Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP, continues from Martin de Porres House in Oak Park, Illinois, with the Letter to the Ephesians.
Yesterday Paul urged us to preserve the unity of the Spirit. Today he tells us why – and it's not so we can sit around and sing Kumbaya. "Grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift… to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the Body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:7–16).
Fr. Scott unpacks Paul's most powerful image of the Church. Not merely a community of believers, not just the ark of the saved tossed on the waves – but the Body of Christ, continuing Christ's own work of saving the world. That's why we're given grace. That's why we're called to unity. And we grow into that calling by maturing in Christ – "living the truth in love," not tossed about like infants.
There is work to be done. There are people who would pull the world apart and sell it for pieces. We are called to bring it together so that everyone has enough. That is our work, and Christ is ready to equip us for it.
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 – Welcome: Saturday of the 29th Week of Ordinary Time
0:20 – Why preserve unity? Not just to sing Kumbaya
0:28 – Ephesians 4: Grace given to equip the holy ones for ministry
0:47 – We are the Body of Christ, continuing Christ's work
0:58 – Images of the Church: community, ark… and Body
1:21 – That's why we're given grace and called to unity
1:29 – Growing to maturity, not tossed about like infants
1:40 – "Living the truth in love," growing into Christ the head
1:51 – We aren't the perfect Body yet – but we grow into it
2:11 – There is work to be done
2:20 – Bringing the world together so everyone has enough
2:33 – Embrace your part in the Body of Christ
📖 TODAY'S READINGS
First Reading: Ephesians 4:7–16
Gospel: Luke 13:1–9
▶️ Missed yesterday? Watch Friday's reflection on "What Unites Us Is Bigger Than What Divides Us" – link in the pinned comment.
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🙏 Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP, is a Dominican friar at Martin de Porres House in Oak Park, Illinois.
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