Episode Details

In today’s Council of Catholic Men Bible and Catechism Study, opened with prayer and then began our read-through of Saint Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians using the Douay-Rheims, covering chapters 1–3 with select footnotes. We reflected on Paul’s context writing from prison, the “spiritual blessings” in Christ, the seal of the Holy Spirit, and Christ as head of the Church. In chapter 2, we examined salvation by grace, the reconciliation of Jew and Gentile into one body, and our new identity as fellow citizens and members of God’s household. Chapter 3 highlighted the revealed mystery that the Gentiles are coheirs, Paul’s ministry to them, and his prayer that we be strengthened to comprehend the breadth and depth of Christ’s love and be filled with the fullness of God.

We then turned to the Catechism of Saint Peter Canisius (1622) on the evangelical counsels—poverty, chastity, and obedience—clarifying the distinction between commands and counsels with insights from Augustine, Ambrose, and Jerome, and scriptural foundations for voluntary poverty and consecrated chastity. We concluded with a reading from Saint Alphonsus de Liguori on Saints Anastasia and Cyril of Rome, contemplating steadfast witness under persecution. Next time, we’ll continue with Ephesians chapter 4 and further catechism study.