In today’s reading from 1 Peter 1:10-16, the writer tells us that the ancient prophets searched hard for salvation or eternal life. They saw that this salvation would come through the sufferings of the anointed of God. They also tried to work out when and how this salvation would be won. All they could see was that this would take place in the future. In a sense the prophets and even the angels looked forward; we look back. So we shouldn’t be burdened in the same way the prophets or the angels were with the questions of when and how we would gain salvation. The writer is saying, “Focus your minds on what is important. Trust in the freely-given grace of God.” This takes us to today’s gospel from Mark 10:28-31, where Peter asks Jesus, “What about us?” Here Peter is reflecting about the question of salvation in the wake of what happened when the rich young man walked away because he couldn’t give up his wealth. Peter goes on to say, “We have left all to follow you.” Jesus’ response is to say that, “In giving ourselves completely to the service of the Gopel, your relationships are not lost. While this sacrifice may involve suffering, your faith commitment will bring about a deepening of relationships, and not just in the future but here and now.” As a missionary who left family, friends and country, I have known the extraordinary rewards of being embraced and made to feel at home among people with whom I was privileged to live out the gospel. And, at the same time, this journey also brought me closer to family and friends of my original homeland. Salvation or the experience of being at home with God is not just in the future, then, it can and should be experienced here and now.
Tom Rouse
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