110522 - Yr A - Easter 5

1 Peter 2:2-10
This letter was not written by the apostle Peter but in his name. The author was likely a church elder from Rome writing to the gentile churches in Asia Minor near the turn of the first to second century (circa 110 CE).

Verses
2:2 - spiritual milk - literally "milk that does not deceive", "pure" - apparently some churches in the 2nd and 3rd centuries actually gave honey and milk to the newly baptized because of this verse
2:3 - quoting Psalm 34:8
2:5 - this is the key verse in the passage for me!
2:6 - quoting Isaiah 28:16 (Rom 9:33)
2:7 - quoting Psalm 118:22 - "head of the corner" = capstone, not cornerstone - a capstone is at the top of an archway and without it the entire structure falls
2:8 - quoting Isaiah 8:14
2:9 - quoting Exodus and Isaiah
2:10 - not a people = gentiles

Thoughts

What does it mean to be a living stone?

What does it mean to "let yourself be built into a spiritual house"?
Notice it doesn't say "build yourself" but "let yourself be built"!

How is Jesus a "stone that makes them stumble"?

"You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people" - v.9
How do those titles feel to you in the 21st Century?

The letter refers to the church members as "resident aliens" (2:11).
Do you feel like that today? Why?

Growing faith, living stones, chosen to proclaim...
What would you preach about if you were given this text?
 
Discussion
There was an article in the National Post newspaper this week that was fairly critical of the United Church of Canada. Read it (I hope the link remains) and reflect on what it means to be resident aliens not only in the world but also, seemingly, even among other Christians.
 
Food for thought...
From "Process and Faith Lectionary" website
The words of I Peter 2:2-10 describe the impact of experiencing God’s mercy on the Christian community. Grace and mercy lead to lives of integrity and growth. Followers of Christ long for spiritual food and are no longer content with the values of this world. Once again, this isn’t otherworldliness but the quest to live by a different standard than the world we live in.  This isn’t judgment either, I believe, despite the fact that there is a sense of judgment in Peter’s juxtaposition of holy and unholy, and chosen and left behind. I would suggest that Peter’s words best be interpreted in terms of the values we seek as followers of Jesus, aware of God’s great mercy. We become grace givers, accountable to one another in terms of behavior and property. While we moderate and progressive Christians appreciate many of our culture’s values, we still need to consider where our faith calls us to differ from culture. I believe that followers of Jesus need to question a number of current socially-acceptable cultural values: consumerism, negativity in the political realm, waste, individualistic self-interest, treatment of “aliens” in our midst, and addiction to technology, to name a few. Peter counsels values of mercy not only in our relationship with other Christians but our relationship to the planet.  We are to channels of mercy and grace to one another, sharing the spiritual – and material –bounties we have received for the common good. In the spirit of John’s gospel, we can choose countercultural values precisely because we trust God to awaken us – and provide for – our deepest personal and communal needs.

Shalom!