Eastertide
April 13, 2023
Scripture Reading: 1 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.
A new birth into a living hope sounds good. It is ours for the taking. So why do we not take it? Why am I waking up each morning to learn where the most recent mass shooting occurred and how many were killed or injured? Why are 14.46% of Oklahoma people living in poverty, the fourth highest rate for a state in the USA? Why is Oklahoma ranked among the states with the highest rates of incarceration? Why are we focusing on limiting the rights of individuals in what medicine they can take or even what books they can read rather than feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, welcoming strangers, and restoring those wasting away in prison? The truth is that if we address with all our hearts and souls the issues Jesus commanded, these other issues with melt away.
Prayer: Lord, forgive us for looking for answers to problems in our society in all the wrong places. Instill in us the courage to grasp and live into your way of being ruled by love. Amen.
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.