April 23, 2023
“…Conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning, realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct, handed on by your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold but with the precious blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamb.”
The first Christians received ongoing formation in their newfound faith. One method was to listen to the teachings found in the letters of Peter and Paul, offering words of encouragement and support. Familiarize yourself with this text of Peter, reminding us where we once were and what has been given us through the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. They, and we, were ransomed and saved by the blood of Jesus. We are still in Easter time.
Unfortunately we forget this. Even today we hear of people paying ransom to rescue family members from cartels in Latin America or gangs in Haiti. How fortunate that we have been rescued, as we pray for today’s victims of violence and oppression.
by Rev. William J. Reilly