Escape from futility

At different times in our lives we may feel frustrated that there is so little to show for all we have done.

Sometimes, especially if we should happen to lose our jobs or our homes, we feel that all of our labors and all of our dreams have vanished into smoke and debris.

In today’s first reading (1 Peter 1:18-25), Saint Peter reminds us of the transitory quality of earthly reality and also of the unshakeable and eternal reality that God wishes to share with us in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

“All flesh is like grass,
and all its glory like the flower of the field;
the grass withers,
and the flower wilts;
but the word of the Lord remains forever.”
This is the word that has been proclaimed to you.

...(Realize) that you were ransomed
from your futile conduct,
handed on by your ancestors,
not with perishable things like silver or gold
but with the precious Blood of Christ
as of a spotless unblemished Lamb.

He was known before the foundation of the world
but revealed in the final time for you,
who through him believe in God
who raised him from the dead and gave him glory,
so that your faith and hope are in God.