Paul, writing to the Ephesians, reflects on God’s plan using the concept of covenants. Through covenants, God adopts first the Jews and then through Jesus, He adopts all people thereby breaking walls of division between Jew and Gentile. Building on this foundational element, Paul focuses on conveying to the Ephesians how each one of them makes up a ‘living stone’ in the new “Temple of God” of which Christ is the “cornerstone”.

Jesus expects every member of this Temple to be in a constant state of readiness with “loins girded” and “lamps lit”. “Girded loins”, a term borrowed from the Exodus imagery of the Passover, symbolises readiness for action at God’s command. To have ones “lamps lit” is symbolic of being watchful and vigilant.

Jesus’ followers are thus called to be ‘Contemplatives in action’ – always reflective and always active.