In today's second reading, 1 Peter 1: 3-9, St. Peter gives praise to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for "his great mercy" in giving "us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for [us] who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time."
WOW! THE MERCY OF GOD! First of all, God gives us a new birth, a second birth, if you will, and this is birth into eternal life, a life that is "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading." That immortal life,which does not fade in brilliance, is "kept in heaven" for you and me. If it is kept in heaven, no one can defile it, neither you nor me nor anyone else. And, since it is kept in heaven, no one can destroy it or steal it from you or me. The only way we lose it is by denying Jesus Christ, our God or denying God PERIOD! Secondly, you and I "are safeguarded through faith," a faith freely given us in our baptism! Safeguarded for what? For "a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time." We are in that final time. You and I might not recognize salvation that comes to us moment by moment. However, God is at work saving us all of the time through the good we do to others, the love we show toward them, our acts of forgiveness, and through the good others do to us and the love they express to us by how they treat us as well as ask and give forgiveness. We are also being saved by our faith and hope in the Lord Jesus Christ hidden in everyone and every thing! And by our gratitude for God's goodness, the goodness of others, our own goodness--all gifts from a loving, caring, compassionate God of mercy!
Thank you, Lord!
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