St. Mary's Church Elizabeth, IL

11/16

"Let those sufferning in accordance with God's will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator."

                                                                                                                                                1 Peter 4:19

Read First Peter, chapter 4

Themes of the end-time pervade this section.  One of those themes is judgement.  Christians are reminded of the actions of their former lives, now abandoned, but still performed by former associates (verse 3).  By seperating themselves from teh vices of their former lives, Christiasn also separate themselves from the judgment that is a consequence of these actions.  The end, with its judgment, is near (verse 7,-17), and in the face of that coming judment Christians are to practice love, hospitality, and service toward one another (verses 7-11).

     A second theme associated with the end is suffering.  Its intensity is conveyed in the image of fiery ordeal and it seems to take the community by surprise (verse 12).  But the author is not surprised and doesn't ask why the suffering.  Rather he gives advice for action and encouragement for endurance.  Christians should only make sure they do not suffer because of their own evil actions (verse 15).

     The suffering is general, but the righteous and wicked do not experience it in the same way.  Christian suffering is regarded as a share in Christ's suffering (verse 13) and even as a consequence of being a Christian (verse 16), and it is, thus, a blessing (verse 14) and a reason for giving glory to God (verse 13. 16).  Christians will suffer, but their end will differ from that of the ungodly (verse 17-18).

     Although there is much end-time talk in our own time, for many CHristians its immediacy is not something that pervaded everyday consciousness.  Yet these verses can serce as a reminder of the ultimate significance of the choices we make for good or ill on an everyday basis.

For Reflection:  How do I reflect on my everyday actions with respect to their imporance for directing my whole life toward Christian practice?  How is my life directed toward love, hospitality, and service?

Prayer Starter;  Loving and gracious God, you have not promised to preserce us from suffering Give me the grace to suffer for righteousness as did your Son, Jesus Christ.  May that trust give me the courage to act always in ways true to your call.

Fr. Joachim