Spiritual Quote of the Day (First Letter of St. Peter, on the Need to ‘Rid Yourselves of All Malice’)

“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”—1 Peter 2: 1-3 (New International Version)

In the past week, the man currently occupying the highest office in our land participated in a marathon Bible reading session. This was rather surprising news to those of us not previously aware that he read much from the Good Book, or indeed from any book.

The other eye-opener happened to be the verses he read, from the seventh chapter of 2 Chronicles: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Oh, I know why he read this passage. It’s that word “heal.” He regards himself as a doctor ministering to the nation, you see!

Well, when I was in a bank yesterday morning, my teller wore a sweater with a number referring to this epistle from St. Peter. I was going to cite it, until I saw the first couple of verses from the chapter, which I felt might be infinitely more instructive for our President.

The image accompanying this post is from a painting of the apostle by Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640).