We continue to reflect on Saint Peter’s first letter. The second chapter begins with an exhortation to “...let yourselves be built into a spiritual house...” with Jesus as your cornerstone. (1 Pt 2:5)
How do we build ourselves into a spiritual house? First we set the cornerstone. A cornerstone is “the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation. It is an important stone since all of the other stones will be set in reference to the cornerstone. The cornerstone determines the position of the entire structure.” (Read more about cornerstones...) To build ourselves into a spiritual house, then, we make Christ the foundation of our lives. All that we do, therefore, will be built on the way, truth, and life of Christ.
We build ourselves into a spiritual house when we follow the way of Christ. We follow Christ’s way when our actions mirror his actions. Christ listened to those who came to him, sharing God’s concern for them. He forgave people, sharing God’s mercy with them. He looked with compassion on those who were suffering, sharing God’s healing grace with them. When we act with concern for others, mercy, and compassion, we follow the way of Christ.
When we open ourselves to the truth of Christ, we build ourselves into a spiritual hosue. To know the truth, we need to read and meditate on the Scriptures and learn the Tradition of the Church. This can be a stumbling block for some of us. Christ’s truth calls us to live in contrast to the way of the world, so we may find ourselves in conflict with our neighbors and struggle with our own desires. But if we stay focused on Christ’s truth, we will be able to withstand the winds and quakes of the world.
In order to build ourselves into a spiritual house, we must allow Christ to fill us with his life. When we are filled with Christ’s life, we are animated by the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit. We become more loving, peaceful, joyful, patient, kind, generous, and gentle.
When we follow the way of Christ, live in the truth of Christ, and allow Christ’s life to animate us, we build ourselves into a spiritual house. Saint Peter tells us that God has elected us as “a chosen race” to be “a royal priesthood” worshipping and serving God in Christ. In Baptism, God claimed us as “a people of God’s own” and has formed us into “a holy nation,” united together in Christ to proclaim the Good News and share God’s mercy in the world. May we continue to build our lives on the cornerstone of Christ and live in the way, truth and life of Christ, bringing the light of God’s grace and mercy to the world.
