Saturday 05 December 2020

Psalm 42

Background

Christian unity is based on the reality that all Christians are joined to one another through their relationship with Christ. That means a mutual sharing of both joy and suffering. This is clearly expressed in Paul’s response to the news that Timothy has brought back to Athens from Thessalonica. In spite of being separated by geography, Paul and his fellow Christians are able to encourage one another through their mutual love and prayers. In one of his later letters (I Corinthians 12.12-31) Paul develops this insight in terms of the body of Christ. Just as the different parts of our bodies are dependent on each other in order to be healthy and fulfil their purpose, so the different members of the Christian community are totally dependent on one another for their spiritual growth and flourishing.

These last few months, when we have been separated so often from our fellow Christians, we have become even more conscious of our need of each other. Like Paul, we have been desperate for a way of meeting face-to-face, but even when that has been impossible we have been bound together as the body of Christ.

To Ponder:

• What has been your experience of separation from fellow Christians? How has it affected you?
• Think of someone whose faith and life has encouraged you through a difficult time in your life.