1 Peter 3:18-22

Lent 1 – Year B

1 Peter 3:18-22

This passage would benefit from an earlier start – either verse 8 or 13, take your pick.

Starting earlier gives a much better context for talking about suffering. This sets it in the context of a blessing opportunity when mean and nasty things occur (intended and unintended). Otherwise we tend to get into theological and Christological debates with much sound and fury. It is to this blessing business we are called and suffering is a subpoint under that.

It is the blessing opportunity rather than the opportunity to suffer that allows us to engage with gentleness and reverence rather than grouchy retribution.

Start earlier - the lection committee will never know and if they do find out, they may change their plan.