Reading: 1 Peter 2:2-10
Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture: “See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner,” and “A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Reflection
If you’ve vacationed in our country or elsewhere you may have encountered some impressive rock formations. Bryce Canyon, Morro Rock, Rock of Gibraltar, Grand Canyon. They inspire us by their strength, endurance, an everlasting permanence.
We gather our strength from the love and teachings of Jesus, a living stone, and his heavenly Father. The Ten Commandments were inscribed on tablets of stone.
There’s a powerful organ solo “Thou Art the Rock’’. That’s what Jesus told Peter, his beloved and loyal disciple. And Peter was a humble fisherman.
We are all humble somethings! Just as the mighty rock formations are made of grains of sand or a speck of dirt…so each one of us has humble beginnings. We have the potential to be inspiration to others.
–Alice Yeakel
Prayer
Dear God, we are your people. Thank you for your mercy. Build us as mighty rocks to proclaim your love.
Amen.