Fifth Sunday after Trinity AD 2026

“Love as brethren, not rendering evil for evil, but contrariwise blessing.” With these words, Saint Peter sums up the very essence of our Christian faith. For this is exactly what God has done for us, and how He has dealt with us: He has loved us so greatly that He has not rewarded us according to our sins and iniquities, but has given us, in His only begotten Son, the fullness of His blessing and the gift of immortal life.

When we live in this same spirit, we are not only living a life that is pleasing to God and patterned after His own example; we are also bearing witness to the heart of the Christian faith. We believe in God who loves us, who gave His beloved Son as a ransom for us, who forgives us, and who grants us the grace of a new beginning, that we may not perish but be saved.

It is true that “the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” Yet we need not be afraid if we put our hope in Jesus Christ, for God looks not upon our wickedness, but upon His righteousness. In Him we are justified; and if we abide in Him, we are made righteous in Him. Our sinful flesh has been crucified with Christ, and with Him a new man has risen from the fountain of holy baptism, able to live to the glory and praise of God.

In this world, such a life often means suffering with Christ for righteousness’ sake. But we suffer not only because suffering belongs to life in this fallen world; we suffer also so that, through our faithfulness and witness, others may be won to Christ. For Christ came not to condemn sinners and send them to hell, but to save them and lead them into eternal life. He came not to render evil for evil, but to bestow upon us the fullness of divine blessing.