The 3rd Sunday in Lent (Oculi) is coming up and we´ve got the first part of the fifth chapter of St. Paul´s letter to the Ephesians on the table. We´re using the excellent commentary of Dr. Timothy Wengert (St.Catherines) to come to grips with this baptismal instruction on Christian life in this world in the light of our God and Lord:

Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children  and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints.  Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting—all of which are out of character—but rather thanksgiving. For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience.  Therefore do not be sharers with them,  for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live like children of light— for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth— trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

Ephesians 5:1-10

Together with the Christian Church we sing the hymn composed by the German count as translated by Jane Borthwick

1 Jesus, lead Thou on Till our rest is won;
And although the way be cheerless, We will follow calm and fearless.
Guide us by Thy hand To our fatherland.

2 If the way be drear, If the foe be near,
Let not faithless fears o’ertake us; Let not faith and hope forsake us;
For through many a woe To our home we go.

3 When we seek relief From a long-felt grief,
When temptations come alluring, Make us patient and enduring.
Show us that bright shore Where we weep no more.

4 Jesus, lead Thou on Till our rest is won.
Heav’nly leader, still direct us, Still support, console, protect us,
Till we safely stand In our fatherland.

Nikolaus Ludwig Graf von Zinzendorf (1725)