Ordinary Time

Pause

Spirit of the Living God, make us one.

Spirit of the Living God, give us hope.

Spirit of the Living God, show us grace.

Spirit of the Living God, be with us now.

Listen

You are one body and one spirit, just as God also called you in one hope. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all, who is over all, through all, and in all.

Ephesians 4:4-6

Think

These past several months have been filled with loneliness and separation for many of us. We have been apart from friends, family members, teachers, classmates, coworkers, church members, and loved ones. Being apart from those we care about might have us feeling isolated and alone, making us think we are on our own to live out our daily lives.

But this is not the message Paul is teaching the believers at Ephesus. Pauls writes: The church is one. One body in Christ. Christ is the one true God. One Spirit who is with us each day.

We take comfort in knowing that even when we are apart, we are all a part of the body of Christ in which we are One. Unity is found through the Spirit of God, not only in physical space but in spiritual direction. The same Spirit that is with me is with you in every breath you breathe. Breathe in the Spirit of God today, knowing you are One with the body of Christ.

Anna Beth Mann

Pray

Breath of God, breathe on me today. Allow me to rest in your peace and wrap me in your love so that I may feel comforted by your presence. Amen.

Go

Even while we are apart, we are still united in Christ Jesus.

Go today, reaching out to those you can, showing grace to those you encounter.

Go today, with hope in a neighbor, faith in a friend, and love for a stranger.

Go today, a member of the body of Christ, in which we are called to Be One.