This week we begin readings from the First Letter of Peter. This letter was written around 64 AD and sets forth the nature of the Christian life begun in baptism as an experience of constant regeneration. By their acceptance of Christianity, the Christian communities of Asia Minor (specifically Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia) had become separated, distinct from their pagan communities, who were abusing and persecuting them. The apostle instructs his readers that Christianity is the true religion, despite their trials and sufferings, and exhorts them to lead good Christian lives.
The letter begins in the way most New Testament letters start, with a kind of prayer that is full of hope. An aura of hope suffuses this whole letter. Despite the frequent suffering and persecution mentioned in the letter, hope is such a key thought in First Peter that it may be called a letter of hope in the midst of suffering. Christian hope is not just wishful thinking; it is an utter conviction of what is going to be realized. Readers are reassured that there is a guarantee of “an inheritance that is imperishable” to which all can look forward with faith and confidence. The basis of this hope is the resurrection of Jesus, who passed through terrible suffering, and death that ultimately led to life. Our faith tells us that we can go the same way with him.
This hope leads to the enjoyment of an inheritance, an inheritance that is eternal, one that is being kept in store for us by God. We are being made safe, first, by the power of God and, second, by our faith, our total trust and commitment to God. This guarantees our salvation, which can be seen in three phases: 1) the salvation that comes when we first believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior; 2) the continuing process of salvation as we grow in holiness and wholeness; and 3) our ultimately being united face to face with our God and Lord in glory.
Despite the many trials and tribulations that the Christians are passing through, Peter assures them that there is cause for rejoicing. Such trials test their faith, like gold being purified in fire, and will make them even more ready to welcome Christ when he comes again.
As precious metals are purified by fire, so our faith is strengthened by the trials we experience in our lives. History has shown us, again and again, that persecution has been a strong reinforcer of faith in Christians. Jesus told his followers that we would face resistance, contempt and persecution from our societies. These challenges to our faith are not something to be deliberately sought after or provoked, but at the same time, our fortitude in facing them is one of the signs of our commitment to the Kingdom and the Way of the Gospel.
Peter, who personally knew Jesus, tells the Christian communities of Asia Minor that, “Although you have not seen him, you love him, and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him…”. Similar words to these Jesus spoke to Thomas after the resurrection, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe (John 20:29). So, they have reason to “rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy” because they are achieving the goal of faith – and indeed the goal of life – their salvation.
‘Salvation’ means much more than ‘going to heaven’ after we die. It implies a restoration of our fragile and weak lives to complete wholeness, and in being totally reunited in joy and peace with him from whom we came – God our Creator. As I have said many times in these Daily Reflections, it begins in this life on earth.
Joy and consolation should be the over-riding experience of the committed follower of Jesus. This joy and consolation are not taken away by our experience of hardships, tests, and disappointments in our lives. Quite the contrary. If that joy is not the deeper part of our Christian experience, then we need to look further for the cause.
May God Bless You and Grant You His Peace!