Reading: 1 Peter 3:13-22

Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you;

yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil.

For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water.

And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you—not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.

Reflection

These verses sound scary. “Do not be intimidated…when you are maligned.” Just what do they mean? Do not let someone threaten you; do not feel someone is slandering or belittling you. Stay calm. Respond with words and thoughts that God would want you to use. And turn to God for help and guidance. Take a deep breath. Listen to some good music. Even better, sing along! Open the door and breathe the fresh air. Let God’s Spirit dwell “in” you and then joyfully share it outside you.

There are two hymns that come to mind as I think on the above challenges: “Create in Me a Clean heart, O Lord” and “My Lord is With Me All the Time”

–Alice Yeakel

Prayer

Dear God, may your spirit help me stay calm. Guide me to that which would bring peace to me and then to share that with others.

Amen.