6th Easter Sunday (Year A)

Today, I would like to reflect on the 2^nd reading from the First Epistle of Peter.
but in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence (1 Peter 3:15).
What is the hope in me? If there be any, why do I need to defend it? We hope for something we don't currently possess, for a situation we are not in. It must be something or some state in the future. So, what do I want for the future? Nothing.
Perhaps I don't want to be disappointed. Therefore, I do not hope for anything, any state in the future. (I have to be careful. There perhaps are hopes which are have been so repressed that they never emerge from the subconscious.) Wealth, health and status are not what I hope for. Perhaps it is my children in whom I place my hope. Thank God, You have given me 4. Surely I hope they lead an upright and happy life. But they are independent beings. I cannot force my wish on them. (Though I have to admit that I am disappointed with some of their behaviours. But they are still young, aren't they? They may change.)
Perhaps I should hope for my own salvation, like any other Christians. The Church does not talk much about the doctrine of predestination nowadays. She gives that impression that all of us have the potential to reach heaven. Yes, we are baptised. But there is no guarantee that we will receive our salvation. In fact, only a limited number of people, the elected, are destined to be saved. Regrettably, many will be lost eternally through their own fault. Our life on earth is a testing ground. We need to prove our worth, that we deserve heaven. Maybe this was what Peter advised his community about. We should defend our hope of salvation. Perhaps we have taken our salvation for granted and forget the dangers threatening it and the sacrifice it is worth.
Peter advised his community to keep their conscience clear.
For it is better to suffer for doing right, if that should be God's will, than for doing wrong (1 Peter 3:17).
Suffering is inevitable. It is God's will. Therefore, it is better to suffer with a clear conscience than with guilt. In reality, even if we are punished in all fairness, we complain. We cry foul. It is not my fault. It is not fair. We are still far behind in admitting our sins, in seeing the failures and defeats as God's chastening.
Blessed is the man whom thou dost chasten, O LORD, and whom thou dost teach out of thy law (Psalm 94:12).
Those whom I love, I reprove and chasten; so be zealous and repent (Revelation 3:19).

My sweet Jesus. You suffer for us to bring us salvation. May I work hard to defend this hope in You. May the heavenly Father continue to cleanse me of my worthlessness. Amen.