Second Sunday of Easter (NTA)

1 Peter 1:1-9
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:
May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (1 Pe 1:1–9). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Here in the introduction to St Peter's first Epistle, he points out the Resurrection of Our Lord. He identifies the people as obedient and being sprinkled with the blood of Christ. Then St Peter makes reference to the Trinity with the Father and Son. The next thing is the our living hope through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. This is the certain hope for all God's people.

Most people have one fear in life that seems to take control of everything else, the fear of Death. Why do people make sure they hold onto the steering wheel? So they do not die. Why do people fear jumping out of an airplane? They do not want to plummet to their death. Somebody once told me, if you really want to commit suicide try to suffocate yourself or smother yourself, because you will realize how much you really do want to live. All of us have a natural instinct to try our best to survive. This is why it can make a very interesting story to see people fight to the death as they claw and gnash at each other.

But even though we fear death, Christ has given us a certain hope that we will live. Jesus Christ is Risen from the dead. He was raised by his Father as the firstfruits. When Christ returns he will raise all who have fallen asleep in the faith. St Peter points to this certain hope that even though we die or fall asleep yet shall we live. Christ has given us victory even over our greatest fear, Death. He has show us the power God has to make alive even what is dead and buried.