In the first two chapters of Ephesians, St. Paul is trying to breaking down a wall of ethnicity that created a lot of confusion for the believers in Ephesus.  Religion had always been an ethnicity thing and now, people outside the Jewish race wanted to participate in the sacramental acts of the new faith of Christ. 

There was a well defined wall of distinction to keep the integrity of the new faith based on old Jewish practices.  However, Paul wrote in the second chapter of this epistle that in Christ, we have a new covenant that erases the wall and any distinction between Jews and Gentiles; circumcised or not because “he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, hostility between us."

Sometime I wonder if we ever got the point of Ephesians.  We are more interested in pointing out the differences between ourselves (even within Christendom & the ELCA) then to work toward a common mission in Christ.  I am often dumbfounded by some people I have known who have gone extra distances to make known someone’s dissimilarities. 

But when I think about it, our world revolves around differences.  Currently, in our country, we are looking for how each candidate differentiate her or himself on issues and how each potential president might make a distinct mark in our future.

When I applied to college, I had to figure a way to catch the admission people’s eyes with stories and activities during high school.  When I apply for jobs or interview for a new church, I have to be sure that I am completely myself but also unique. 

Our world is all about being different.  It goes smack dab against the very idea of what Paul is getting at and what being a Christian is all about.  Basically, being a Christian has never been about standing apart and trying to get attention to oneself.  It has always been about being together in fellowship, community and common mission. 

I have seen congregations falter because they forget that basic idea of Christianity and factions and individuals pursue alternative goals all the while making a mockery of the Christian faith.  Let this day be a time when we can reflect on our activities of unity and how we can align ourselves to will of God and pursue his unifying message of love, hope and peace to those who are alone and in need of unity with God’s people.

Prayer:  Dear Lord, unify us when we drift away from your people and open our eyes to see our common mission together. Amen.