I have come to appreciate Saint Peter a lot more since I started my journey back to the Catholic church. The scripture passage for today's reading is from 1 Peter 2. It seems clear to me that one of the strongest messages I have heard from the Catholic church is the importance of corporate identity. Previously I identified my being a Christian as "having a personal relationship with Jesus". Although this is still true, the more important aspect of my faith as I have come to know is my identity with the "community of saints" (small letter "s" for saints). Jesus's mission to earth was to build His church, and He started it by authorizing Peter to be the founding CEO (so to speak - see Matthew 16:13-20). Moreover He gave Peter (and the church) a promise of divine protection that "the gates of Hades will not overcome it.". And indeed the church has survived through the ages - through persecution, moral decay both outside and inside the church, and yes, even the reformation! The church continues to stand against the tide of secularism, nominalism and scandals.
So what is Saint Peter teaching me about my faith journey in this new community? Here is a list (starting from chapter 1 of his letter):
- Be holy! So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.” "So clean house! Make a clean sweep of malice and pretense, envy and hurtful talk. You’ve had a taste of God. Now, like infants at the breast, drink deep of God’s pure kindness. Then you’ll grow up mature and whole in God."(1 Peter 1:13-16 and 2:1-3 MSG translation) Wow!!
- Live as foreigners in reverent fear (verse 17). The original Greek word for foreigners is "paroikia" (a sojourning, dwelling in a strange land). Now that's a good perspective! "Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." (1 Peter 2:11-12) Don't forget - not only is my life on earth infinitesimally short comparing to eternity, it's beauty is also nothing comparing to what is coming! Keith Green has a beautiful song comparing this life to what is to come - "I Can't Wait to Get to Heaven")
- Love one another deeply, from the heart (verse 22). That's right, for the few more years that are left, learn to love as Jesus love. That's my best witness to this world which is devoid of love. "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34,35)
- Live like God's chosen one. "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." (1 Peter 2:9-10) So live life full of mercy with praises hanging off my lips at all time!
- Live as free people but for the Lord's sake submit to human authority (1 Peter 2:11-17).
- Suffer for doing good (verse 18-21). "But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps."
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