After the theologically profound arguments, addressing God’s redeeming plan, and after important thoughts concerning ecclesiology, the author of the Letter to the Ephesians speaks in a comforting and paranetical manner. In this manner, the teachings derive consequences for practical life. Teachings and practicality walk hand in hand. Every teaching in the Gospel is intended as an exhortation and each exhortation is based on teachings.

The Apostle’s exhortations are first of all of a general kind. They are entirely taken from ecclesiological statements and based on solicitude for the Church’s unity (4,1-24), to the extent that the community’s daily life is not yet mentioned .

In verse number 25 the exhortations assume a more concrete form, so much so that a number of commentators judge them as being not only realistic, but also excessively simple and therefore banal since they correspond to stoic popular philosophy.

One would do better to pay attention to the closeness to Jewish literature and above all to observe that realistically speaking the references to the community and to Baptism are clear as are the concepts of the presence of the Spirit of God and Jesus Christ’s binding example.

One could possibly ask oneself whether the author of the Letter has a certain community in mind or perhaps the conditions of a community of neophytes, whose conversion is achieved following a long route, also after initiation.

For us, the verses we have just heard in the Morning Prayers should represent an exhortation to reflect upon the meaning of that the word uplifting (or building) assumes in the community for the formation of Saints.

This is not the Gospel’s kerygmatic word that edifies the community. This would of course be of great importance, but also a different subject. Here the word is used in relation to a community and within it.

The correct word edifies the community and no one must doubt this.

However, perhaps one could also make negative examples, since this is a human dimension, even excessively human. Some could certainly tell us how they have been hurt by words. One should not hide this, but those who complain should examine their consciences and ask themselves whether perhaps they too have hurt someone with a refusal, a lie or by discrediting them. There is a German proverb that says: "those who shout in the wood, only hear their own voices!". But who shouted first?

Christians are often criticised as being a group that quarrels. Perhaps these are discussions between confessions, between communities, between communities and their Bishop, within parishes, within pastoral groups. There is no doubt that the message’s credibility is immensely influenced in a negative manner by these controversies. A quarrelling community is certainly not attractive.

There is on the contrary a positive image in the history of the Apostles (Cf. 4, 32): "They were one heart and one soul". Then it is also said of the first Christians: "See how they love one another" (Didachè). This is attractive! This is how communities are edified! This is how a community is missionary.

It is also important that each member of the community should listen to edifying words. Those who cry, who are in need of a comforting word. Those who are discouraged and in need of a word of encouragement. Those of are lazy, and in need of a stimulating word, even if being told what they already know. A famous psychologist said that: "You yourself cannot speak the word you need to hear".

And those who make mistakes and are in need of a word that will allow them to change their ways. It is necessary for these words to express they are spoken to help. The Germans say that "One can catch more flies with a tear of honey than with a jar of vinegar".

Is all this obvious? Perhaps. In any case, even the pagans acknowledged them. Christians, however, have a specific reason: "Do not offend the Holy Spirit, whose seal you bear for the day of liberation. All this is remembered in Baptism: "the Spirit’s seal is the sign of protection and ownership impressed with Baptism. This must be answered by leading a Christian life. Non-edifying words instead oppose this and therefore offend the Holy Spirit.

Let us be realistic! Even if we wish to create "saints" for the new century, we will always be weak and we will always be dealing with weak people. When the story about the Apostles mentions how they were one heart and one soul, this is referred a community that shared everything. There are Orders among us who try to emulate this ideal. They understand how hard it is to live in joy and harmony. "Every community and each society, even if not sharing everything, should work to become one single heart and one single soul".

As I said previously, let us be realistic. The Letter to Ephesians considers that all the evils listed are possible among the baptised, hence bitterness, scorn, rage, outrage and slander, but it presents God as a model: "Be kind to one another, merciful, forgive one another as God forgave you in Christ". The is the Christian commitment and it also allows them to edify and preserve the community and the Church in mercy and in forgiveness.

As also proven by the reality of our communities and parishes, it is our duty and our difficult ideal to edify communities in which words create and do not destroy. Communities in which no one is bitterly or indifferently silent, but where words useful to everyone are used. The author of the Letter to the Ephesians knows that a joyous life is a gift from God’s grace. However he also exhorts is to speak as Christians! And then he promises: then you will receive the gift of the edifying word.

Amen