Thoughts on 1 Peter continue:
Peter, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, To the exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who have been chosen and destined by God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with his blood: May grace and peace be your in abundance. Many folk were 'initiated' into cults by being sprinkled with blood. I remember reading about one in which those entering the mystic religion were lead into a pit that had a grate set over the top of the pit. A bull was then slaughtered above them and the blood flowed over the new members - a baptism of sorts. Here, we hear that we (followers of Jesus) are moved by the the Spirit to live in the way of Jesus as the Christ of God. Then - comes the blood. This is the blood of the cross. This is the blood of the victims with whom Jesus sided. This blood is the end of the ways of the world. No more will innocent blood be shed by the power of the world that do not even flinch at their need for victims and control. We are sprinkled with this blood as a mark of the contrary nature of who we are and who leads us. Siding with the victims of our day - walking with those who are forgotten and blamed and forsaken - is to step into everyday adventure of following Jesus. Our lives will be led by such a view of life where victims are wounded and those victims long for others to stand with them to put an end to the violence of control and scapegoating. This is a part of the life that will make us exiles in whatever land we are living. And yet, we are offered peace and grace to sustain us and keep us filled with life that no power is able to grant us. Connection: I find that is it not easy to be vigilant in regard to standing with the victims of our day and making a point of never leaving them alone. Life in our culture life moves so quickly that it seems like we are filled to the brim with our own 'stuff.' And yet, there are opportunities to remember the life that is ours in the name of the one who went to the cross and broke down its power over the world. In the middle of what is so common, O God, you make us available to the world and encourage us to be utterly vulnerable for the welfare of others. Inspire us again today. Amen. |
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