Today's Lectionary TextEphesians 2:14-16For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it.  Today's Devotional
Peace. During the Christmas season thoughts often turn to Jesus as the “Prince of Peace.” But once we are beyond Christmas, we seem to leave behind that idea, as well. Paul writes of Jesus as “our peace" as he made both Jews and Gentiles into a single body.
It is easy to forget that Jesus made us into “one” when we live in a world that is so divided against itself that we cannot even agree to disagree. Politically, we see more antagonism than peace amongst people here in the United States and around the world with battling factions in many countries. The church is also divided in thought in many denominations. Our own United Methodist Church is anything but united and hasn’t been for many years. One of my favorite Communion hymns is “One Bread, One Body” (UMH #620). Every time I sing just the chorus, I am reminded that we are offered the opportunity to be one body, with Christ, in partaking of the Loaf and the Cup. One bread, one body, one Lord of all, one cup of blessing, that we bless. And we, though many throughout the earth, we are one body in this one Lord. This is where I find peace in the midst of turmoil in the world around me. It’s also where I find strength to go out into the world and do whatever I can to bring peace to my little piece of the world. I’m not always successful, mind you, but every effort to bring the peace of Christ into a world at odds with itself is a step closer to our becoming the one body of Christ. Prayer for ReflectionDraw me closer to you, Jesus, that I may draw others closer to your peace this day. Amen.
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