Lectionary Readings:  AM Psalm 18:1-50; Isa. 41:17-29; Eph. 2:11-22; Mark 2:1-12

The verses from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians remind us that the foundation, cornerstone, and core of who we are as a body of believers is Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God,  20 built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.  21 In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord;  22 in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.

And it was these final verses of today’s epistle,

²¹In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; ²²in whom you also are built together spiritually^* into a dwelling-place for God.

that reminded me of the childhood-learned rhyme, “Here is the church, Here is the steeple, Open the doors, see all the people,” and set me upon a wondering, whispering bunny trail.

And in so remembering, I began to think about my church and so many others in the Western part of the world where on any given Sunday, the pews are far from filled.  Where have ‘all the people’ have gone?

And in so wondering, the song and lyrics  Where Have All the Flowers Gone  came to mind which asks about cycles in history and suggests we forget, we simply forget and never learn(originally sung by The Kingston Trio).

I wonder. Have we forgotten?  Has the church forgotten its purpose and the reason for its being?  What is the Spirit saying to God’s people with Paul’s letter today?

Praise Him for reminding us.