Reading: 1 Peter 3:8–12
Have you ever been to a major playoff game of a professional or collegiate sporting event? What was it like? For me, these experiences have been awe-inspiring. One of the things that always stands out is the incredible cohesion demonstrated by thousands of strangers. Everyone is wearing the same colors, repeating the same cheers, urging the team forward toward the same goal: victory.
As Christians we already have the victory, won for us in Christ Jesus. All the more should we strive for unity even greater than fans of some silly sports team (except the Kansas City Royals, they are awesome). That is St. Peter’s message to us here. Have a unity of mind, all of us striving to show sympathy, love, tenderness, and humbleness to one another and the world. That is who we are to be as the Church.
Prayer
Gracious Father, give unity to Your people that we might be of one mind, displaying a Christ-like love to one another and to those around us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Hymn
One bread, one cup, one body, we,
Rejoicing in our unity,
Proclaim Your love until You come
To bring Your scattered loved ones home. (LSB 623:4)
Joseph Highley (Sem IV, CSL)