A reading from the first letter of Peter.

Venerate Jesus Christ in your hearts.  Should anyone ask you the reason for this hope of yours, be ever ready to reply; but speak gently and respectfully.  Keep your conscience clear, so that,

whenever you are defamed, those who libel your way of life in Christ may be shamed.  If it should be God’s will that you suffer, it is better to do so for good deeds than for evil ones.

The reason why Christ died for sins once for all, the just for the sake of the unjust, was in order to lead you to God.  Jesus was put to death insofar as earthly existence goes, but was given life

in the realm of the Spirit.

The Word of God recorded in the first letter of Peter.