Original Broadcast: Easter 2009
Monthly Theme: Third Article Gifts
Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy,
cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word,
and to present her to Himself as a radiant Church,
without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
(Ephesians 5:25-27)
Jesus' Church is a holy Church. It is holy because He made her holy. St. Paul reminds us that it was Jesus' death and resurrection that brings about any sort of holiness among Christians. That was how He made her holy in giving Himself up. But that's not where Paul finishes his statement.
He says Jesus cleanses her "by the washing with water through the Word." That's Baptism. That's the only washing that takes the dirt and grime of sin and washes it away completely. Not just plain water, but water under the power and authority of the Word of Christ.
Just as the Church is made holy through Baptism, so are the Christians within that Church. You who have been baptized, who have been washed with the water through the Word, are holy. Holy because Jesus died and rose for you. Amen.
