A New Creation in Christ

"Seek what unites, rather than what divides," said St. John XXIII back in the early 1960's.  It seems to me that he was thinking scripturally when he said that, and the Letter to the Ephesians that we hear this Sunday reminds us that Christ broke down barriers.  We who were far away have become near because of Christ who brings people who were distant from each other into communion.

There is a lot of talk today about the desire for walls and separation, but the Letter to the Church of Ephesus invites all Christians to consider how Christ eliminates the enmity within and around us by bringing us the power of the Holy Spirit which leads us to the Father.  Through the power of the blood of the Lamb of God, we are a new creation in Christ.  We are brother and sister, children of the same Father.  Rather than radical differences, we share in the divine life just as siblings are children of the same family.

May the Lord give you peace,

Fr. Joe Schwab OFM