Post-feast of the Nativity of Christ. Holy Martyr Anysia (286-305). Holy Martyr and Presbyter, Zoticus, Protector of Orphans (4th c.).
1 Peter 2:21-3:9. Mark 12:13-17.
Read 1 Peter 2:21-3:9
It can be off-putting to the contemporary reader when encountering passages like this one, where the Apostle Peter or others exhorts wives to be submissive to their husbands. It should be understood that in the times of the Apostles, men were understood to be the ruler of the house and the wife as if a subject. Peter speaks to his audience attempting to infuse the Gospel and Christian virtue into the social and family arrangements of the day. Those social and family arrangements change over time, but the need to infuse the Gospel and virtue into them does not.
With that said, lets look at the virtue he is exhorting. For wives of non-believing husbands, a phenomenon which continues to this day, he encourages them to cultivate the beauty of their heart and spirit, so that their gentleness may win over their husbands to Christ. Regardless of our understanding of family power and authority dynamics, this advice remains entirely relevant today. And not only to the wives of non-believers, but to all women who seek a life of holiness, to adorn themselves with the beauty of the heart before the outword beauty of fine clothing and jewellery.
As for husbands, they always must live with their wives with a desire to understand and to honour. Even in our more egalitarian age, our fallen humanity leads many men to abuse their masculinity to a point where it becomes domineering. Masculinity is a special strength of men intended to be used to honour, serve, love, protect, and provide, not to abuse or dominate. Husbands, therefore, and all men, cultivate virtue so that your masculine energy is channelled towards those good and holy things.
Finally, for all of us, bless before all else. The word ‘bless’ has in its origin the meaning ‘to give a good word’ (the Ukrainian word for blessing ‘благословення’ has ‘good word’ build right into it). Implore the Lord to shower his goodness and mercy on all that you encounter. Speak well of others. Avoid gossip and badmouthing others. Do this, avoiding evil, and you will receive a great blessing.