Contemplative Bible Reading

Ephesians 2:19-22 (New International Version)

¹⁹Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, ²⁰built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. ²¹In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. ²²And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Who were you? What was your past? What is the history of your family?

The answers may be interesting, enlightening, or terribly embarrassing. If you are a Christian, the answers don’t really matter much, because we are now something different. Look at the phrases from the Ephesians to see who we are now:

1. fellow citizens with God’s people

2. members of God’s household

3. resting on the shoulders of the apostles and prophets

4. resting on the cornerstone of Jesus Himself

5. rising to become a holy temple in the Lord

6. a place in which God lives by His Spirit

I’m impressed by all that. That is all a gift, a pretty big gift, nothing to laugh at or toss aside.

God, help me to realize who I am now. Help to understand the gift I have from you. Help me to share the news of this wonderful gift.