As part of my own daily devotions I hope to post my own paraphrases of the the Daily Lectionary here on my blog (along with a short reflection on one or more of the readings). God willing, this will not be a short term thing.

Ephesians 1:15-23
Hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus and of your love for all the saints,
I do not cease giving thanks for you,
remembering you in my prayers,
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him.
May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened,
that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you,
what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the saints,
and what is the exceeding greatness of his power for us who believe,
in accord with the working of his great might, which he worked in Christ,
when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavens,
far above every ruler, authority, power, and dominion,
and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come.
And he put all things beneath his feet and gave him as head over all things to the Church,
which is his Body, the fullness of the one who fills all in all.

Psalm 8:2-7
O LORD, our LORD,
how majestic is your name over all the earth!
You have exalted your glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings
you have established strength because of your foes,
to still the adversary and the avenger.

When I see your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars which you set in place—
What is man that you should be mindful of him,
or the son of man that you should care for him?
You have made him little lower than the angels,
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him dominion over the works of your hands,
putting all things under his feet.

Luke 12:8-12
[Jesus said to his disciples: ]
“I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others
the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God.
But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God.

“And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven,
but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

“And when they bring you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities,
do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or about what you are to say.
For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.”

Reflection for Today – On Luke and Ephesians
For more on blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, I recommend this article on the web:  Unpardonable Sin.

What is remarkable about today’s reading from Ephesians is this:  As followers of Jesus we are given great power to accomplish Christ’s work in the world.  The same power that resurrected Jesus on Easter morning, bringing him back to life, can be present in the our lives as well, if we only open our hearts and minds to receive it.  This power comes to us through the continuing presence of Christ with us today through the Holy Spirit.