20 October 2020

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling-place for God.

From Ephesians 2:12-22, NRSV

In this letter to the Ephesians, the unity of all Christians is a recurring theme. Perhaps it was necessary for the writer to repeat the message since the idea of unity between Christians who were Jews and those who were Gentiles was so improbable. These previous distinctions had a long and troubled history and, even at the time of this letter, there were likely still some disagreements between them. However, all their previous differences had been overcome through the sacrifice of Christ and all were now to be seen as of equal worth and dignity.

• • What difference do you think this message of unity may have made to the different members of the early Christian community?
  • What unites us to our fellow Christians today? Are there ways in which our unity could be further strengthened?

Reflect on the progress that has been made in recent years to overcome barriers between different Christian communities.