You are no longer strangers and sojourners,
but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones
and members of the household of God,
built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets,
with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. (Eph 2:19-20)
Very powerful words are given to us in St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Words that can give hope and comfort.
Words, however, that can also cause us a bit of anxiety.
They give us hope and comfort because they remind us that we are, indeed, members of the household of God — each and every one of us.
Ah. There is the anxiety: “each and every one of us”.
We have made it this far in life by allowing certain people into our circle of family and friends. Allowing certain people in means that we also keep certain people out.
If Christ is the capstone of the great community of believers, there should be no such thing as an outsider. All people are members of the household of God. All people have the dignity of being created in God’s image and likeness. All people deserve a chance to belong.
Where would we be if someone said, “You don’t belong. You don’t deserve a chance to be part of the family of Christ. Go away.”
FAITH ACTION: If you have been acting “divided”, do what you can to bring unity to your life. Allow that ostracized family member, that obnoxious co-worker, that “unique” neighbor, another chance.