11 So remember that once you were Gentiles by physical descent, who were called “uncircumcised” by Jews who are physically circumcised. 12 At that time you were without Christ. You were aliens rather than citizens of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of God’s promise. In this world you had no hope and no God. 13 But now, thanks to Christ Jesus, you who once were so far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 Christ is our peace. He made both Jews and Gentiles into one group. With his body, he broke down the barrier of hatred that divided us. 15 He canceled the detailed rules of the Law so that he could create one new person out of the two groups, making peace. 16 He reconciled them both as one body to God by the cross, which ended the hostility to God.
17 When he came, he announced the good news of peace to you who were far away from God and to those who were near. 18 We both have access to the Father through Christ by the one Spirit. 19 So now you are no longer strangers and aliens. Rather, you are fellow citizens with God’s people, and you belong to God’s household. 20 As God’s household, you are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. 21 The whole building is joined together in him, and it grows up into a temple that is dedicated to the Lord. 22 Christ is building you into a place where God lives through the Spirit.
Reflection
All of us have experienced the pain of being an “outsider” at some point in our lives. We move to a new job, or a new school, or a new neighborhood where we don’t have any connections. We’re unfamiliar with the “way things are done here.” Sometimes we break the rules without even knowing it!
I remember showing up at meeting where I was a new member of an organization. The chairs were arranged in a U-shape facing toward the front of the room. I remember sitting down at the bottom of the horseshoe, toward what I thought was the back of the space. I had only sat down for a minute before someone anxiously came and tapped me on the shoulder to say: “Joe, you can’t sit there, that’s where the President sits.” I was embarrassed. But how was I to know?
The whole story of the gospel is about outsiders becoming insiders. We read about Jesus calling simple fishermen and hated tax collectors together to lead his movement. We hear how uncircumcised Gentiles took their place in the kin-dom alongside those who zealously kept Torah. Pentecost (Acts 2) is the story about how people of every race and nation and language were welcomed into the wonder of Christ’s love, grace, and forgiveness through the gift of the Spirit.
This movement from outsider to insider, the mandate we’ve been given to welcome the stranger, bears on how the Church approaches topics like immigration or the role of LGBTQ+ persons in our congregations.
From the very beginning, no one was regarded as a stranger. No one was treated as an outsider. That’s the beauty of the Church. All are welcome. Are are seen as important. All are valued as unique, unrepeatable, beloved gifts from the heart of God.
by Joe Monahan
For Pondering and Prayer
Do you remember a time when you felt like an outsider? Who helped you to feel more at home? What did they do? Today, consider how you can show hospitality and love to someone who is trying to find their place.
Prayer: Most gracious and merciful God, we thank you that you have called us near to you. We thank you that you have welcomed us as your own. Help us today to set a place for others who need to know your love. Amen.
