Last year, saw the birth of a new country, South Sudan. South Sudan was formed by splitting off from the existing state of Sudan. The birth and first year of existence of the new state has been beset by many dangers and challenges. It is nevertheless, overcoming its difficulties and there are now several million citizens with a new identity in the family of world nations.

Today's first reading, on the other hand, tells us of the birth of a new "state", a new commonwealth, a new supranational people through the amalgamation of two already existing peoples, the Jewish people and the Gentile people. It is well established but still in formation with, as we would say nowadays, enormous potential. In God's plan it is meant to confer a holy citizenship on every man, woman and child born into this world.

We Gentiles are, by virtue of our baptism, members of this commonwealth, this newly formed household of God. Later comers, though we may be, we are now, as it were, in the driving seat of this living mobile community. We have to make this new family of God as attractive as possible to our Jewish brothers and sisters to whom God's promise was first made. At the same time, we have to open our arms wide to the millions who are looking for meaning, hope and love in their lives.