Looking at the beginning of the reading, one sees again the idea of selection, of God's Will for a People. In verse 3, St. Paul immediately refers to God the Father giving us a special blessing through and in Christ. Verse 4 indicates that those in the Church are chosen from all time, referring to God's Will for those in the Church to become holy, and perfect--"unspotted". Verse 5 is even more specific, when the great Apostle of the Gentiles uses the word, "predestinated" or predestined. This is not a poetic word-choice, but the reality of God's predilection.
"According to the purpose of his will" cannot be a clearer statement that God, in Christ, calls the members of the Church on purpose, from all time, to holiness.
Ephesians 1:3-6Douay-Rheims
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with spiritual blessings in heavenly places, in Christ:
4 As he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and unspotted in his sight in charity.
5 Who hath predestinated us unto the adoption of children through Jesus Christ unto himself: according to the purpose of his will:
6 Unto the praise of the glory of his grace, in which he hath graced us in his beloved son.
to be continued....
