St Helen

Reflection from Nigel Price

1 Peter 3-17

Suffering for Doing Good 8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. 11 They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 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, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (NIV)

Reflection

There is so much good advice in these few verses. I was reading this morning about an angry crowd that gathered in Epsom demanding information about the suspects alleged to have raped a woman there a few days ago. The Methodist minister (it was outside her church that the alleged offence took place) on returning to her home encountered the crowd and found it very intimidating. People these days like to have someone or something to blame and are reluctant to follow advice 'not to speculate'. Her response was that you cannot overcome hate with hate - only love can do that. It is so true - love can conquer all, for was it not God who so loved the world that he gave his only son to save us? So the message to us is to love our neighbours - even those who may wish to do us harm. Turn the other cheek and do not repay evil with evil. It is not an easy thing to do and it flies in the face of worldly logic, but who thought that being a true Christian is easy. And did Jesus ever follow convention when it disagreed with his Father's will?

So as you start this new day, be eager to do good and you will indeed be blessed.

Additional Collect

Risen Christ, for whom no door is locked, no entrance barred: open the doors of our hearts, that we may seek the good of others and walk the joyful road of sacrifice and peace, to the praise of God the Father.

St Helen

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