The First Letter of St Peter To the

The First Letter of St. Peter To the Exiles of the Dispersion

Suffering Brings Repentance The man who suffers generally reflects on his ways, is humbled, fears approaching death, loathes himself because of his past iniquities, and ceases from them; for, in a state of suffering, the mind loses its relish for the sins of the flesh, because they are embittered to him through the apprehension which he has of death and judgment; and, on his application to God’s mercy, he is delivered from his sin. (Adam Clarke)

Repentance (from…. . ) So I declare and testify in the Lord that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds; darkened in understanding, alienated from the life of God because of their ignorance, because of their hardness of heart, they have become callous and have handed themselves over to licentiousness for the practice of every kind of impurity to excess. (Ephesians 4: 17 -19)

They will vilify you… They are surprised that you do not plunge into the same swamp of profligacy, and they vilify you; but they will give an account to him who stands ready to judge the living and the dead. (New American Bible 1 Peter 4: 4 -5)

Living in Christ Brings Ridicule “There are children being prohibited from writing Merry Christmas to the soldiers, senior citizens being banned from praying over their meals in the Senior Center, the VA banning the mention of God in military funerals, numerous attempts to have veterans memorials torn down if they have any religious symbols such as a cross, and I could go on and on, ”

Living in Christ Brings Ridicule Are there other reasons why Christians might be ridiculed?

Love Covers a Multitude of Sins Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4: 8) Hatred stirs up disputes, but love covers all offenses. (Proverbs 10: 12) …whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. (James 5: 20)

Love Covers a Multitude of Sins Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels. (Hebrews 13: 2)

Gifts We Receive Are for All CCC 2003 Grace is first and foremost the gift of the Spirit who justifies and sanctifies us. But grace also includes the gifts that the Spirit grants us to associate us with his work, to enable us to collaborate in the salvation of others and in the growth of the Body of Christ, the Church.

Gifts We Receive Are for All CCC 2003: There are sacramental graces, gifts proper to the different sacraments. There are furthermore special graces, also called charisms after the Greek term used by St. Paul and meaning "favor, " "gratuitous gift, " "benefit. "

Gifts We Receive Are for All CCC 2003: Whatever their character - sometimes it is extraordinary, such as the gift of miracles or of tongues - charisms are oriented toward sanctifying grace and are intended for the common good of the Church. They are at the service of charity which builds up the Church.

If the Righteous Are Scarcely Saved For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7: 14)

If It’s Hard for Us…? 18“And if the righteous one is barely saved, where will the godless and the sinner appear? ” Who are the godless and the sinners?

An Image to Contemplate “Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, ” (see footnote to 1 Peter 5: 1)

An Image to Contemplate

The Flock Must Heed the Shepherd CCC 754 "The Church is, accordingly, a sheepfold, the sole and necessary gateway to which is Christ. It is also the flock of which God himself foretold that he would be the shepherd, and whose sheep, even though governed by human shepherds, are unfailingly nourished and led by Christ himself, the Good Shepherd and Prince of Shepherds, who gave his life for his sheep.

Shepherds, Your Job is… Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock of which the holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, in which you tend the church of God that he acquired with his own blood. (Acts 20: 28)

Shepherds, Your Job is… I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock. (Acts 20: 29)

Shepherds, Your Job is… And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after them. So be vigilant… (Acts 20: 30 -31)

Questions • Where else is the phrase “love covers a multitude of sins” quoted? What is the opposite and its effects? • What is the Household of God?

Questions • St. Peter seems to believe that the end is near. How do we react to people who forecast the end of the world at a specific time?