Tear down this wall

In today's first reading (Ephesians 2:12-22), St. Paul writes of how Christ has broken down the "middle wall of partition" between Jews and Gentiles and how those "who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."

Tragically, in the years and centuries since St. Paul wrote those words, some people have worked very hard to rebuild that wall.

Not only that, over the centuries, even more walls have been erected: walls between those who accept Christ but who do not accept each other.

But the separation between Christians and Jews will not stand forever (as St. Paul writes in Romans 11).

Likewise, the walls that Christians have built up among themselves will not and cannot stand.

Sadly, over the past few decades, many of the efforts to bring down these walls through ecumenical dialogue have been unsuccessful. In some instances, the walls have gotten thicker and the distances between some Christians even greater.

We need to do what we can to continue this dialogue, with humble honesty, heartfelt charity, deep concern for the true common good, absolute devotion to the truth of Christ, and (most importantly) unceasing prayer: that the Lord Jesus Christ may tear down the walls between us and within us so that we may be one in him.

For through him
we both have access
by one Spirit
unto the Father.

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners,
but fellowcitizens with the saints,
and of the household of God;
And are built
upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
In whom all the building fitly framed together
groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
In whom ye also are builded together
for an habitation of God
through the Spirit.