Before the Foundation of the World

Reflection by Pope John Paul II, General Audience (Wednesday, 18 Feb 2004)

Each Monday at Evening Prayer the Church chants the great Canticle which opens the Letter to the Ephesians. The Canticle is a hymn to the saving power of God revealed in Jesus Christ. In His infinite goodness God planned before the creation of the world to bring all things into one through his beloved Son. This mysterious plan of salvation culminates in the mystery of Christ and the Church. Through Christ’s Blood shed on the Cross we have received redemption and the forgiveness of our sins. By grace we were predestined in love to become children of God and to share in the fullness of God’s own life.

Canticle: Eph 1:3-10

Blessed be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

He chose us in Him
before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy
and blameless before Him.

He destined us in love
to be His sons through Jesus Christ,
according to the purpose of His will,
to the praise of His glorious grace
which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

In Him we have redemption through His blood,
the forgiveness of our trespasses,
according to the riches of His grace
which He lavished upon us.

He has made known to us
in all wisdom and insight
the mystery of His will,
according to His purpose
which He set forth in Christ.

His purpose He set forth in Christ,
as a plan for the fullness of time,
to unite all things in Him,
things in heaven and things on earth.