Monday, May 20, 2024  

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Today's Scripture
1 Peter 2:4–5a

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. (NRSV)

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Reflection

I like Peter’s metaphor for a faith community — less a concrete building and more a “spiritual house” built with people, with “living stones.” Peter’s descriptive letter was addressed to people in about 70–90 C.E., but it still seems pertinent today. God invites us to come together in community “to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” Like our ancestors, we are called to be a faith community that lives in healthy tension. We are torn between social expectations and the world God imagines for us — practicing responsible service, both within the family and in institutions throughout our communities.

I’m thinking a lot about community during May as I work on projects to celebrate Older Americans Month. “Powered by Connection” is the 2024 theme chosen by the US Administration on Community Living. It suggests the importance of relationships not only among but between generations.

For Christians, it can also be more than a civic theme. It has theological poignancy. We are powered not only by connection, but through connection to Jesus who was “chosen and precious in God’s sight.” Our collective impact rests on God’s reliability and strength. It propels us to act personally and corporately — to care for one another, to speak truth to injustice, to welcome strangers into our midst, and so much more.

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Prayer
Lord Jesus, remind me throughout this day that your spiritual temple is a work in progress. Give me the faith and perseverance to see that God is active and present in my life, inviting me to be a living stone. In your name I pray. Amen.

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Written by Beth Truett, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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