Reflection on Ephesians 2:12-22 and Luke 12:35-38
Today's readings draw us into the heart of God’s vision for unity, peace, and a vigilant faith that is always ready to welcome the Lord’s coming.
In Ephesians 2:12-22, Paul reminds the Ephesians of their former separation from God: “You were at that time without Christ, alienated... strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.” But now, through Christ’s sacrifice, those who were far off have been brought near. Jesus Himself is our peace, breaking down the dividing wall of hostility and making us one. Paul’s message is clear—Christ’s death and resurrection have created a new humanity, uniting Jews and Gentiles, reconciling both to God, and forming a single household built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone. The Church is not just a building, but a community of believers, where the Spirit of God dwells and unites us all.
This message of unity is both a call and a gift. In Christ, divisions of nationality, race, and culture are overcome. We are no longer strangers or foreigners, but "fellow citizens with the saints," members of God's household. This reconciliation is not just between us and God but also between one another. As members of this new community, we are called to live out this unity, to be peacemakers in a world marked by division, and to bear witness to the love of Christ that transcends all barriers.
In the Gospel of Luke 12:35-38, Jesus exhorts His disciples to be ready and watchful: “Gird your loins and light your lamps, and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.” This is a call to vigilance, to be awake and attentive, living with a sense of expectation. Jesus’ parable suggests that those who are prepared and alert are blessed, and He promises that the Master will reward them by serving them Himself—a remarkable image of God’s grace and generosity.
These readings together invite us to embrace both readiness and reconciliation. Paul’s message in Ephesians assures us that Christ has already accomplished the work of reconciliation, uniting us into a new family of believers. This gives us a profound sense of belonging, hope, and peace. But the Gospel challenges us to live out this identity with an active, vigilant faith, always prepared to respond to God’s call. We are to be servants who watch attentively, living our lives in a way that reflects the peace and unity Christ has established.
Our Christian life, then, is not passive. It requires us to be constantly awake, ready to serve, and eager to share the peace that Christ has given us with the world. To be vigilant is to recognize that every moment is an opportunity to love, to forgive, and to bring others into the community of faith. The image of a lamp lit, and our loins girded reminds us that the life of discipleship is an active one—carrying the light of Christ in a world that often feels dark and divided.
As we reflect on these readings, let us consider where God might be calling us to be peacemakers in our own lives. Are there “walls of hostility” that need to be broken down within our hearts, our communities, or our relationships? And are we living in a state of readiness, fully awake to the presence of God in our daily lives, and open to His coming in unexpected ways?
May we find strength in the unity that Christ has given us and may our vigilant faith shine brightly as a testimony to the world of God’s love and peace. Amen.