But you
are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that
you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous
light.
We are a royal priesthood! Once we were not a people, but now
we are God’s people. We have been called out of darkness into the light of Christ.
But just exactly who is this royal priesthood, and for what are they called to be priests?
Luther writes:
"You are a royal priesthood that you may declare the wonderful
deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. I ask, who are these
who are called out of darkness into marvelous light? Is it only the shorn and anointed
masks [monks]? Is it not all Christians? And Peter not only gives them the right, but the
command, to declare the wonderful deeds of God."
As we approach Holy Week, the week of Christ’s passion, we see in
God’s acts of mercy a profound freedom. And this merciful freedom is not so much
granted that we might be free from something, but now, as a royal
priesthood, to be free for something! We are called to respond by declaring
the wonderful deeds of God. To be about the tasks of a royal priesthood is the privilege
and challenge of all Christians, for we are those who are chosen to bear the cross in a
world hurting to know the love and compassion of God.
The wonderful deeds of God, which enlighten us and our world, come to
focus in the journey toward the cross. On the cross Jesus redeems us from our broken human
condition and liberates us for life as God’s own people. In our compassion and
caring, may we, too, bear the cross and thereby proclaim the mighty acts of the One who
calls us all by name and makes of us a holy nation!
Dear Heavenly Father, grant us the freedom to live as
compassionate and caring people, reflecting our Lord, Jesus, and his passion. Give us the
power to live as your holy people.
