“Be On Your Guard” By Melanie Rigney
Therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned, be on your
guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled and to fall from your
own stability. But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and savior
Jesus Christ. To him be glory now and to the day of eternity. (2 Peter 3:17-18)
In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge. (Psalm 90:1)
So Jesus said to
them, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” (Mark 12:17)
Piety
Even Jesus, help me to find stability in You.
Study
Human life is always fragile, and the past few months have
attuned us to that. Things are going along in an unremarkable way, and then we
or someone we love or know (or a friend loves and knows) dies of a disease we
were only dimly aware of six months ago. New lives are stalled because weddings
can’t go on. Big changes are delayed, if not canceled, because the company that
was going to hire or promote us is downsizing or gone.
All this fragility may be leading you to spend more time in
contemplation and prayer (there are only so many jigsaw puzzles that can be
completed, only so much chocolate that can be consumed), and perhaps wondering
about your readiness for your own death or the Last Judgment or why God let any
or all of this happen. If that is the case, read carefully today’s first
reading from 2 Peter. It is filled with words of compassion and
encouragement—and instruction:
·
“We await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness
dwells”
·
“Be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at
peace”
·
“Be on your guard not to be led into the error of the
unprincipled and to fall from your own stability”
·
“Grow in grace”
And perhaps most importantly:
·
“Consider the patience of our Lord as salvation”
If we believe, there is nothing to fear in this world…
because God’s love is never fragile, in this world or in the next.
Action
Read 2 Peter 3:12-15,17-18, out loud, slowly.
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