According to the Measure of the Gift of Christ (New Year Thanksgiving Service)
This passage deals with the letter the apostle Paul sent to the believers of the church in Ephesus while under house arrest in Rome. In a situation that might have been his last moment, at the threshold of death, Paul earnestly urges the church and its members on how they can keep the faith to the end. First of all he stresses that they should walk worthily of the calling with which they were called, and explains that this means a life in keeping with God's will, not with personal preference.
The sermon presents three concrete attitudes needed to walk worthily. The first is humility, following the example of Jesus Christ, who lowered himself to save souls; the second is true gentleness, as seen in Moses, who rose above his own anger to intercede for souls. The third is patience that is not hasty, like a farmer waiting for the harvest. These attitudes are essential conditions for accepting one another's differences, making up for one another's lack, and building up the whole body of Christ.
Now, at the start of a new year, what effort should we make to grow according to the measure of the gift of Christ given to each of us, and to work together for good?