Monday, September 28, 2009

Opening

Give heed to my words, O God, and listen to my morning prayer.

A Reading from I Peter 1:3-9

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Reflection

For the Christians to whom the author of 1 Peter writes, it is quite clear that Christian faith represented a conscious and difficult decision to move away from their old lives and from the predominant culture in which they lived. Today "born again" Christianity can sometimes refer to a particular spiritual experience without radical social or ethical implications. For Christians of Peter's time, however, it was clear that being born again not only meant adding joy to one's life, but also leaving behind one's congenial relationship with neighbors and community. Being born again hurt.

The New Interpreter's Bible Volume XII, page 254

Prayer

Holy God, you continue to bless us with your gifts of creation. We give thanks to you for your kindness to your people and take delight in the gifts we share to bring about the fullness of your life in our world. All praise to you, Blessed Trinity, living in us and among us through all generations. Amen.