A reading from the letter of Paul to the Ephesians.

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  For Christ is our peace, who made both groups into one, and broke down the barrier of hostility that kept us apart.  In his own flesh Christ abolished the Law with its commands and ordinances, in order to make the two into one new person, thus establishing peace and reconciling us both to God in one body through the cross, which put to death the enmity between us.  Christ came and “announced the Good News of peace to you who were far away, and to those who were near”; for through Christ, we both have access in one Spirit to our God.

The Word of God recorded in the letter of Paul to the Ephesians.