But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. ... Peter 2: 9-10

I am saddened to read in the newspapers stories of horrific acts committed by seemingly ordinary people. I am especially saddened when the crimes are committed by young people. Often in reading through stories of murders, school shootings, bullying and other crimes, the young people involved talk about a sense of being the outsider, of not belonging or fitting in. We all need to belong.

The passage from 1 Peter, read on Sunday, is a powerful reminder that we do belong. We are chosen, holy, set apart by God. We belong to God and we belong for a purpose, to proclaim what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. Remind yourself that you are part of God's precious people. Now remind someone else of the great love poured out for them.

Thank you God for claiming me as your own. Help me to tell others of your great love and to show that love through what I say and do this week. Through Jesus Christ, Amen.

Contributed by Pastor Tracie
Published Sunday April 24, 2005
Week 22 of Liturgical Year A