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On Wednesday within the Octave of Easter our Church invites us to first read and reflect on a passage from the beginning of the first letter of Saint Peter (2:11-25) entitled "Christians are strangers in this world". Our treasure, which follows, is from an Easter homily by an ancient author.
The first letter of Saint Peter begins with an address by Peter to Christian communities located in five provinces of Asia Minor, including areas evangelized by Paul. Christians there are encouraged to remain faithful to their standards of belief and conduct despite threats of persecution. Numerous allusions in the letter suggest that the churches addressed were largely of Gentile composition, though considerable use is made of the Old Testament.
The central teaching of the First Letter of Saint Peter is that Christians, as "sojourners and exiles" in the world, are called to live in steadfast hope, holiness, and faithful endurance amid suffering by keeping their eyes fixed on the saving work of Jesus Christ.
Saint Peter encourages believers who are experiencing trials and persecution to remain faithful, because suffering for Christ is not meaningless but shares in Christ's own paschal suffering and leads to glory. The letter emphasizes a new identity rooted in baptism: Christians are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation called to proclaim God's mercy through lives of moral integrity, mutual love, and humble submission to God's will.
