Living Stones

Rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, insincerity, envy, and all slander; like newborn infants, long for pure spiritual milk so that through it you may grow into salvation, for you have tasted that the Lord is good.  Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.  For it says in scripture:  “Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a cornerstone, chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame.” (1 Peter 2:1-6)

Although not one of today’s readings, this passage from the first letter of Peter encourages us to be stones – not cold, dead stones, but living stones.  Then, together we are to let ourselves be built into a “spiritual house” and to offer “spiritual sacrifices” to God through Jesus Christ. 

It’s stone cold outside, and at this time of the year being like stones scattered across the fields and in the woods all covered with snow is quite unappealing.   Then again when gathered together and used to build a house with a warm stone hearth where people assemble, we take on a new look and function.   That’s what Peter tells us to do.  

We are to gather for a common purpose - to sacrifice our time, energy, and money for Jesus.  We are to use him as our cornerstone on which we rise to build bridges across chasms of hate and indifference.  We are to be living structures where people can seek comfort.  We are to sacrifice our lives (or at least portions of them) to boost the spirits of others and let them know they are loved.  We are to be roads of stone on which other people can be walking with purpose knowing they are

precious in the sight of God.

Deacon David Pierce