Thoughts for the Day

So then, you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling-place for God.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

I have put in a local picture that we use to describe our corner of the Narberth and Tenby Local Ministry Area, as it conjures up the a wonderful idea of the God's Church. We so often use the word 'church' to mean the building, but of course it also means even more importantly, the people of God as well, and this image sums up both beautifully.

In our passage from Ephesians, St Paul is writing to the Christians in Ephesus - he calls them saints - and he compares them to a city and to a building. Whether they are Jews or Gentiles, he says, all who were sinners are now free citizens of this city with all the rights and privileges that this will give them, brought together by the work of Jesus Christ who is the foundation or corner-stone that holds them all together as one. Together they make up one building, that is the Church, and slowly they grow into a holy temple, because God has chosen through His Spirit to dwell with them.

When things are difficult we should remember that together we are members of God's spiritual household - the Church - growing into a holy temple, where God has chosen to send His Spirit to dwell with His people.

Lord Jesus,
You are the corner-stone of our faith,
and the bedrock of our belief.
May we never forget that though
we were once sinners,
You call us to grow together into a living temple
of redeemed and forgiven citizens,
who are members of God's household.
Amen.