2018 Peace Sunday: Full membership in Christ's new humanity

As human beings, it is our natural tendency to classify and separate ourselves from those who are different from us. That classification and separation takes all forms: gender, age, race, ethnicity, education, socio-economic, religion … and the list goes on. These classifications can cause discomfort, fear, and even harm depending on one’s location and situation. Racial violence is still a difficult subject and a painful reality for many. Refugees and immigrants seeking safe places and ways to support and protect their families are rejected and deported back to their home countries because of fear of the foreigner.

Even during Christ’s time, there were societal tensions, particularly between the Jews and the Samaritans, and the Jews and the Gentiles. Yet with Christ’s birth, and later during his ministry, the outcast and the foreigners also received the good news. In Ephesians 2, Paul reminds us that through Christ’s blood, the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile has been destroyed, and we are all now one humanity. We are no longer strangers to each other, but now joined together spiritually, forming Christ’s new humanity. For this reason, let us continue to seek justice for the oppressed, and peace and reconciliation for those in conflict, so that all may know Christ and know God’s love and peace.

In preparation for Peace Sunday 2018, take time to consider how God has called us to love and care for all people, for each one of us is a part of God’s creation and Christ’s new humanity. Who is the neighbour God is calling you to love and care for?

Also see the related video Jesus Wasn't White by the Mennonite Mission Network (available to stream or download).