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).

Spiritual Quote of the Day (First Letter of St. Peter, on Christians’ Obligations to Each Other)

“Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.” —1 Peter 4: 8-10

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

Spiritual Quote of the Day (First Letter of St. Peter, on Anxiety)

“Cast all your anxieties on Him, for He cares about you.”—1 Peter 5:7 (Revised Standard Version)

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

Spiritual Quote of the Day (St. Peter, on How ‘God Shows No Partiality’)

“Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”—Acts 10:34-35 (Revised Standard Version)

(The image accompanying this post is from a painting of the apostle by Peter Paul Rubens.)

Spiritual Quote of the Day (St. Peter, on Participating in ‘The Sufferings of Christ’)

“But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”—1 Peter 4:13 (New International Version)

(The image accompanying this post is the 1886 painting Christ in Gethsemane, by the German artist Heinrich Hofmann.)

Quote of the Day (St. Peter, on Giving a Reason for Our Hope)

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” — 1 Peter 3:15-16 (New International Version (NIV)

(The image accompanying this post is from a painting of the apostle by Peter Paul Rubens.)

 

Quote of the Day (St. Peter, on the Power of the Cross)

“ ‘He himself bore our sins’ in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; ‘by his wounds you have been healed.’”— 1 Peter 2:24

(The image accompanying this post is Crucifixion, by German 16th-century painter Peter Gertner.)

Quote of the Day (Epistle of St. Peter, on a ‘New Birth Into a Living Hope’)

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”—1 Peter 1: 3-5 (New International Version)