Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you 5 who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time. 6 In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, 7 so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, 9 as you attain the goal of [your] faith, the salvation of your souls.
The Apostle Peter began his letter with a prayer of thanksgiving to God as was often done by the Jews. God is blessed for being merciful to Christians and bestowing upon them a new life of hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This hope is in the imperishable and pure inheritance in heaven and it is secured, by faith, to a salvation that will be revealed at the second coming of Christ. Consequently, Christians should rejoice even though they may have to suffer through trials to which God allows them to be subjected. Because they have accepted the gift of faith, they can love and believe in God whom they have not physically seen, and experience some of the indescribable joy of the glorified.
Almighty God, by raising Jesus to life, you have fulfilled your promise to the author of evil in the Garden of Eden. Grant us the grace to hold fast to our belief in Christ so as to attain the glory of your presence. This we ask through the same Christ our Lord. Amen!
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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