July 19, 2015 - Sunday

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have become near by the blood of Christ.
For he is our peace, he who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh,
abolishing the law with its commandments and legal claims, that he might create in himself one new person in place of the two, thus establishing peace,
and might reconcile both with God, in one body, through the cross, putting that enmity to death by it.
He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near,
for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. (Ephesians 2:13-18 NABRE)

Very simply, Paul, writing to the Gentiles (non-Jews) in Ephesus, describes how Jesus united them with the rest of the Church which originally had only Jewish members. Remember, Jesus and his first followers were Jews. The early Church was considered a sect within the Jewish faith. And there was significant mistrust between the Jews and others who were not of the faith.

And so too in our times, we look to the Spirit of Jesus to break down the dividing walls that still exist between people. We look to the Spirit of God to reconcile all people to himself through the cross.


Today, I will pray for an increase in understanding and tolerance among people of good will but of different faith traditions.


Saint Mary MacKillop, Australia's first saint, known as Mother Mary of the Cross, who tells us to "have courage no matter what [our] crosses are," pray for us.