1Peter
2:21-25 For to this you have been called, because
Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow
in his steps. "He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth." When he was abused, he did not return abuse;
when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who
judges justly. He himself bore our sins
in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness;
by his wounds you have been healed. For
you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and
guardian of your souls.
Jesus
attitude to life runs counter to human attitudes: throughout history we have
thought to live defensively: strike back at those who threaten us.... and
preferably “hit him back before he hits you”. Jesus shows that there is another
way: “When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did
not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly”(1Pe 2:23 ).
The challenge of
Lent is to learn to step back from life by disciplining myself to speak second;
to return anger with kindness; to reply to abuse with love. This is impossibly
hard, and only is achieved if we “return to the shepherd and guardian of our
souls. (1 Pe 2:25).
Thought:
Shepherd of my soul I give you full
control,Wherever You may lead I will follow.
I have made the choice to listen for Your voice,
Wherever You may lead I will go.
Martin J. Nystrom
Palm Sunday
The Wounds and Sorrows of
Ministry Scripture reading taken from A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants p.136
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