The second letter of St. Peter has a few major themes: to remind its readers of the truth of God’s Word, to warn Christians against false teachers who would lead them astray, and to rouse them to await Christ’s return by living a holy life.
Those three themes are evident in our passage today, which comprise second Peter’s final verses. These three themes also coincide with three themes of our liturgical season, of ordinary time.
During Ordinary Time, we turn to God’s word for constant reminders of who God is and who God calls us to be. Every Christian should have some exposure to the Word of God every day. The truth of the Gospels is easily forgotten, especially in times of stress, times of grief, times of temptation. Moral and theological errors bombard television and the internet, the university classrooms and social media. So when views contrary to the Gospel are actively propagated, as they are in our culture, we need to be reminded often of God’s word.
Secondly, second Peter teaches Christians to be on their guard against false teachers who introduce what he calls “destructive heresies”. In our passage today, Peter writes, “be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled and to fall from your own stability.” Peter recognizes that even Christians who are pretty stable in the faith, in the truth, need to be on guard. How easy it is to follow the bad example of the unprincipled!
Thirdly, Peter calls Christians to live in constant anticipation of the Lord’s return by always actively pursuing a holy way of life. “Grow in grace and knowledge” of Christ, he says today. The priest wears green during Ordinary Time, the longest season of the Church year, to remind us that we are to be always seeking to grow in grace.
We do well to ask the Holy Spirit to help us identify those virtues and gifts in which he wants to help us grow. Is he calling us to grow in patience, in gentleness and generosity, and as we heard yesterday, in self-control, devotion, mutual affection, and charity.
Peter helps us to "render to God what belongs to God", as the Lord teaches in the Gospel. So Let us, as Peter tells us, “to make every effort” to grow, to be on guard, to be reminded of Christ’s presence with the Church and his imminent return, and to be a reminder to others, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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That Pope Francis and all bishops and clergy will help defend the Church against error, and lead her always in the pathways of truth, righteousness, and charity.
For the conversion of all those who perpetuate error or set bad Christian example for young people and those of weak faith, and that social media may be used responsibly and for the spread of the Gospel.
For “growth in grace and knowledge of Christ” for all people.
For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord
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