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2 Peter 3: 12-18
Beloved:
Wait for and hasten the coming of the day of God,
because of which the heavens will be dissolved in flames
and the elements melted by fire.
But according to his promise
we await new heavens and a new earth
in which righteousness dwells.
Therefore, beloved, since you await these things,
be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace.
And consider the patience of our Lord as salvation.
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. Amen.
The Word of the Lord.
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One of the great delights about being a priest is baptizing children. Lately, it seems like I’m doing so every weekend!
Often, when parents tote their newborn children into church, the children are wearing the baptismal gown that either their mother or father wore many years ago.
The gown is always white, some are ornate, and often the gown flows like a snowy river down past the child’s feet at least several inches, if not over a foot.
Before pouring water over the child’s head, I ask either Mom or Dad to hold their child up.
“Do you see? This gown doesn’t fit this baby; it’s way too large; overflowing!”
And that’s precisely the point.
The gown isn’t meant to fit yet because it’s symbolic of the Christian life. Each child – indeed all of us – must learn to how to grow into it.
Baptism is just day one of our Christian journeys.
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In our first reading, Saint Peter is writing to some of the early Christians, some of whom he himself may have baptized.
Although they were received into the Church, they still have to mature in their faith. There are four things, in particular, which Peter advises them to do.
First, live as if the end is near. As he says, “Be eager to be found without spot or blemish before the Lord.”
Second, be at peace – at peace with God, at peace with your neighbor, and at peace with yourself.
Third, guard against all evil; resist falling into temptation.
And, finally, “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.”
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Which of these four things might I need to grow in today – purity, peace, endurance, or knowledge of our Lord?
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Make every effort to grow into the gown, as it were.
Maturing in our faith is part of fulfilling our destiny we began long ago, the moment we were baptized.
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Image credits: (1) Desiring God (2) The Importance of Baptism, AD Today (3) All Free Crochet