at the foot of the cross

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

*

In his great mercy he has given us new birth

into a living hope

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

*

and into an inheritance

that can never perish, spoil or fade -

*

kept in heaven for you,

who through faith are shielded by God's power

until the coming of the salvation

that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

*

In this you greatly rejoice,

though now for a little while

you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trial.

*

These have come so that your faith-

of greater worth than gold,

which perishes even though refined by fire-

may be proved genuine and may result in

praise, glory and honor

when Jesus Christ is revealed.

*

Though you have not seen him,

you love him;

and even though you do not see him now,

you believe in him

and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,

for you are receiving the goal of your faith,

the salvation of your souls.

*

I Peter 1:3-9*

*Scripture reading from anita's funeral service.

everyday gift: living hope