Thoughts for the Day

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

In my family there are only two of us left, my brother and I, and it makes the relationship even more special. Though we don't see a lot of one another, I find myself thinking of him a lot. But in our case the bond is special for another reason because my brother and his twin sister were adopted. My parents actually saw the twins who were three years old and chose them to be their children, rather than their first possible choice a new-born baby. Then we had to appear in court before a judge with a wig, and I was asked (age six) if I was happy to have a new brother and sister, and would I share my toys with them. I remember answering "No! Because they have a large box of their own toys!" The adoption of three year old twins was one of the most important things that my parents ever did, and they loved and cared for the three of us children always.

Today's readings is the letter to the Gentile Christians in Ephesus written either by St Paul or possibly one of his followers towards the end of the first century CE (Common Era). In the Roman world adoption of young people and even adults was common, and once a person was adopted they were granted the same status as other heirs to their new father or mother.

The writer of Ephesians argues that in the same way God chose us and then adopted us as his children. He saw us! He picked us out! He invited us to be His children! Because of this we can be redeemed (that is rescued from the slavery of sin) and forgiven. Many of us were baptised as children, but the idea of accepting our adoption is something we do regularly - when we turn to our Heavenly Father and accept His love and His forgiveness.

Heavenly Father,
we thank You that You chose us
to be Your children,
and to offer us freedom
and forgiveness.
May we turn to You each day,
confess our sin,
and accept Your love
to be children of Your family.
Amen.