St. Paul begins his letter to the people of Ephesus by assuring them of his prayers. “I do not cease giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.” He prays: “that the God … may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation.” Once they have that “spirit of wisdom” their eyes will be open and they will recognize “the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory…, and what is the surpassing greatness of his power.” Hope, riches, power — sounds like a sales pitch. Except that we know in a different letter the Apostle says, “I resolved to preach only Christ Jesus and him crucified.” The hope, the riches, the power of faith are found on the cross.
