Parents know they cannot treat each child the same way. They have to restrain the child who ties a towel around her neck and plans to jump off the roof like Captain Marvel. They have to push the child who stays locked in his room, afraid to mingle with the other children. St. Paul knew this was also true of his own “children,” i.e. the churches he founded. He fussed with the Church in Corinth to change they ways. He encouraged the Church in Ephesus so that they would continue and not lose heart. I do not cease giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. The Apostle goes on to say: May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe. Hope, glory, power — those were the gifts Paul wanted the Ephesians to appreciate as flowing from their faith.
