How absurd. Two people who love each other want all of each other; they cannot be content either with a half-given or half-received love; it must be all or nothing, else their protestations of true love are a mockery.

There are two powerful elements in a long-lasting marital union; two things that probably express the greatest gifts that the partners expect from and can give to each other -

Consummation: the state of being consummated, completion, fulfillment. St. Paul is writing about the consummation of God's plan for the universe. We are privileged, by revelation, to know what this plan is, how the future of the creation will see its fulfillment in Christ. At the moment the universe is not finished, it is not completed. It is a work in progress. That is why there is so much mess in human history. We are a world under construction. But one day creation will be completed.

The apostle Paul begins his circular letter to the churches around Ephesus with an extended doxology - verses 3 through 14 are one extended sentence in Greek. It is a recitation of what God has done for us in Christ. He praises God for all his spiritual blessings in Christ. In a world in which there are so many problems, and a tendency to focus on all the trials and troubles we experience, it is a relief to be reminded of all the blessings we enjoy.

"They say, 'Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.' Therefore prophesy and say to them: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: O my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them I will put my Spirit in you and you will live...." (Ezekiel 37:11-14).