^1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen ones who are living as foreigners in the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, ^1:2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood:1 Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

1. Be sprinkled with His blood. The life contained in God's Word. Therefore, it is spiritual energy that purifies and redeems man by pouring into his life currents a new and purer stream. This divine energy cleanses the consciousness of dead works to enable man to serve the living God (RW/blood of Christ)

^1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy became our father again to a living hope1 through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ^1:4 to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that doesn't fade away, reserved in Heaven for you, ^1:5 who by the power of God are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ^1:6 Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been put to grief in various trials, ^1:7 that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ-- ^1:8 whom not having known you love; in whom, though now you don't see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory-- ^1:9 receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

^1:10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, ^1:11 searching for who or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ, which was in them, pointed to,2 when he predicted the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that would follow them. ^1:12 To them it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to you, they ministered these things, which now have been announced to you through those who preached the Good News to you by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.

1. A living hope. Hope is the expectation of good in the future. It is a quality (good as far as it goes) of sense mind because it is subject to time. Faith is the certain knowledge that our good is ours right now. It is of God; it goes beyond time and space (RW/hope). Both faith and hope spring up spontaneously in our heart on contemplation of Christ Jesus. [In the Hebrew, “hope” has several meanings, including “wait expectantly; be patient; sink down; twist together; to loose; a cord or rope.” Thus we can say that to have “a living hope” is to maintain a state of consciousness that expects the good, is patient, is willing to loosen from self-reasonings, sink down, and “stay roped” to the Truth.]
2. Who or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ, which was in them, pointed to. [Metaphysically, salvation is always imminent.] From the spiritual viewpoint there is no such thing as time in the way that man has come to regard it. With God a thousand years are as one day and one day is as a thousand years. ... People have gone insane ... trying to calculate by literal interpretation of Scripture the date on which the world would come to an end, not discerning the spiritual meaning of these writings. All this comes from believing man's idea of time to be a reality. Eternity is not an endless number of years, and things that are spiritual and eternal cannot be measured by days and months and years. (MBD/time).

^1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action,[1] be sober and set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ-- ^1:14 as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in your ignorance, ^1:15 but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior;1 ^1:16 because it is written, "You shall be holy; for I am holy."[2]

^1:17 If you call on him as Father,2 who without respect of persons judges according to each man's work, pass the time of your living as foreigners here in reverent fear:3 ^1:18 knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers, ^1:19 but with precious blood, as of a faultless and pure lamb, the blood of Christ; ^1:20 who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of times for your sake, ^1:21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God.

^1:22 Seeing you have purified your souls4 in your obedience to the truth through the Spirit in sincere brotherly affection, love one another from the heart fervently:5 ^1:23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible,6 through the word of God, which lives and remains forever. ^1:24 For,

"All flesh is like grass,

and all of man's glory like the flower in the grass.

The grass withers, and its flower falls;

^1:25 but the Lord's word endures forever."[3]

This is the word of Good News which was preached to you.

1. Just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior. We must develop single-mindedness, must think creatively or constructively (gird up the loins of his mind), must be earnest in his work (be sober) and must keep his thoughts on what he wishes to accomplish. [We know we can] become one with the Divine, as Jesus was because the Christ is revealed to us as an indwelling presence, in whom there is a union of love, wisdom, power, faith, and prescience that can cause the divine to be manifested in us, as we faithfully express it.
2. If you call on him as Father. While it is true that God, Divine mind, the principle of life, law, is no respecter of persons, we turn to Him as to a father, because through His Son Jesus Christ we are assured that in His love and wisdom He looks beyond our imperfections and sees us as His sons.
3. Living as foreigners here in reverent fear. What fear, if any, is legitimate for us to entertain? We should never surrender to fear. However, in taking thought for our progress in understanding we may consider the fear of falling short in our realization legitimate, since it spurs us on to renewed efforts to realize the Christ.
4. Seeing you have purified your souls. The deep purity and mighty strength of the Christ Mind are made manifest in us as we develop spiritually. Instead of consciously and unconsciously tempting one another in sense ways, these qualities in each will incite in others holy aspirations to fulfill the law of righteousness (RW/purity of the Christ Mind).
5. Love one another from the heart fervently. The greatest power that man wields is the power of love, a faculty of both mind and heart. Until he learns the lesson of disinterested service to his fellow men (unfeigned love of the brethren), he cannot express the Christ love in its strength and purity.
6. Not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible. The corruptible body is that which is subject to decay. When it is transformed into the spiritual body, it becomes incorruptible and is forever enduring (RW/corruptible). See "This corruptible must put on incorruption" (I Cor. 15:53).

^2:1 Putting away therefore all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisies, envies, and all evil speaking, ^2:2 as newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word,1 that you may grow thereby, ^2:3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious:2 ^2:4 coming to him, a living stone,3 rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, precious. ^2:5 You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house,4 to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ^2:6 Because it is contained in Scripture,

"Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, chosen, and precious:

He who believes in him will not be disappointed."[4]

^2:7 For you who believe therefore is the honor, but for those who are disobedient,

"The stone which the builders rejected,

has become the chief cornerstone,"[5]

^2:8 and,

"a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense."[6]

For they stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed. ^2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: ^2:10 who in time past were no people, but now are God's people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

1. as newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word. When the true light from Heaven shines into the consciousness, the soul instinctively turns away from all thought of evil, and, as naturally as a newborn babe, demands its milk.
2. if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. One of the first signs that the soul has tasted of the true fruits of Spirit is the tendency to affirm the enduring goodness of Spirit. Such affirmations broaden, deepen, and strengthen our nature so that shortcomings in others are readily overlooked; forgiveness, grace, and mercy are exercised towards the undeserving; generosity flows forth [effortlessly]; we bless and become a blessing to all, and we even seek the highest possible good of the offender.
3. coming to Him, a living stone. This stone refers to the indwelling Christ, which is the keystone of our character (MBD/stone), and it is upon this pure understanding (white stone) that we are to build up and develop our true Christ self (RW/stone).
4. built up as a spiritual house. Each member of the church is a “living stone” in the spiritual house of God. According to the measure that we “live the life,” we are elect and precious in the sight of God. To the extent that we make spiritual sacrifices for humanity’s sake [and for the sake of our own spiritual progress], so also in that same degree we open the way to receive the rich gifts of the [Presence and Power of God].

^2:11 Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts,1 which war against the soul; ^2:12 having good behavior among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation. ^2:13 Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake:2 whether to the king, as supreme; ^2:14 or to governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to those who do well. ^2:15 For this is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:3 ^2:16 as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God.4 ^2:17 Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

1. as foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts. Our Spirit-led will (Paul) makes this request of us, for it is through our clean living that we keep our own soul in peace, as well as protect others, who may judge our faith by our outer expressions and may be influenced by those expressions, for either good or evil.
2. subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake. Our ultimate allegiance is to Truth, and our sense of responsibility to it binds us to observe the rules of good citizenship. Each individual realizes within himself freedom to obey of his own volition the commands of his worldly superiors freedom to honor others, to love those of like mind with himself; to “fear God” (or understand the inevitability of divine law), and to “honor the king” (or render due respect to those in authority over him). It is right for the individual not to waste his energies in futile opposition. He should put them forth where their weight will be felt. When an order is established, the individual only upsets himself by struggling alone to overturn it. He who stands alone should keep himself at peace with others.
3. by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. Each of us may silence their own ignorance by well-doing and gaining wisdom in making a study of their own form of expression; this is the better use of our energies.
4. as bondservants of God. “Bondservants of God” are they whose conscience holds them to the right course of conduct; these are the freest of all people since the bonds are within their own consciences. Our ultimate allegiance is to Truth, and our sense of responsibility to it binds us to observe the rules of good citizenship.

^2:18 Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the wicked. ^2:19 For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God. ^2:20 For what glory is it if, when you sin, you patiently endure beating? But if, when you do well, you patiently endure suffering,2 this is commendable with God. ^2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you[7] an example, that you should follow his steps,3 ^2:22 who did not sin, "neither was deceit found in his mouth."[8] ^2:23 Who, when he was cursed, didn't curse back. When he suffered, didn't threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously; ^2:24 who his own self bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. ^2:25 For you were going astray like sheep; but now have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer[9] of your souls.4

1. Household Code. A social media meme which encouraged Stoicism for keeping a peaceful order in Roman and Greek households. Later inserted in Christian scripture to defend the Jesus movement from pagan criticism of disorderly egalitarianism. See metaphysical interpretations at Ephesians 5:22-6:9, Colossians 3:18-4:1, Titus 2:1-10 and 1 Peter 2:18-3:1-8.
2. glory is . . . patiently endure suffering. This is the same as Jesus' teaching of the “second mile,” namely, that we should be willing to do more than could humanly be asked or expected of us in order to prove our claim to the divine nature. Patience that has its roots in principle does not break, when one bears undeserved suffering.
3. For to this you were called . . . follow His steps. When we choose to follow our inner Christ, like Jesus, we must expect that the path of proving our allegiance to Principle will take us through tests of various kinds; Spiritual strength and transmutation are not demonstrated otherwise.
4. now have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your soul. The Holy Spirit of God is the One, True Shepherd of our souls. We find our way back to the kingdom and to our Shepherd by keeping our minds open and obedient to this pure Spirit life, and by keeping our consciousness free from all guilt and guile.

^3:1 In like manner, wives,2 be in subjection to your own husbands; so that, even if any don't obey the Word, they may be won by the behavior of their wives without a word; ^3:2 seeing your pure behavior in fear. ^3:3 Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing; ^3:4 but in the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God very precious. ^3:5 For this is how the holy women before, who hoped in God also adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands: ^3:6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose children you now are, if you do well, and are not put in fear by any terror.

^3:7 You husbands, in like manner, live with your wives according to knowledge,3 giving honor to the woman, as to the weaker vessel, as being also joint heirs of the grace of life; that your prayers may not be hindered.

1. A continuation of the Household code explained in the previous chapter.
2. wives. Taking a wife represents a unification of the I AM with the affections (RW/wife).
3. husbands . . . live with your wives according to knowledge. Spiritually, marriage represents the union of two dominant states of consciousness. When we open the door of the mind by consciously affirming the presence and power of the divine I AM in our midst, there is a marriage or union of the higher forces in being with the lower and we find that we are quickened in every part; the life of the I AM has been poured out for us (RW/marriage).

^3:8 Finally, be all like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, courteous, ^3:9 not rendering evil for evil,1 or reviling for reviling; but instead blessing; knowing that to this were you called, that you may inherit a blessing.2 ^3:10 For,

"He who would love life,

and see good days,

let him keep his tongue from evil,

and his lips from speaking deceit.

^3:11 Let him turn away from evil, and do good.

Let him seek peace, and pursue it.

^3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

and his ears open to their prayer;

but the face of the Lord3 is against those who do evil."[10]

^3:13 Now who is he who will harm you, if you become imitators of that which is good? ^3:14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "Don't fear what they fear, neither be troubled."[11] ^3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear: ^3:16 having a good conscience;4 that, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be disappointed who curse your good manner of life in Christ. ^3:17 For it is better, if it is God's will, that you suffer for doing well5 than for doing evil. ^3:18 Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; ^3:19 in which he also went and preached to the spirits in prison, ^3:20 who before were disobedient, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, while the ship was being built. In it, few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. ^3:21 This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you--not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ^3:22 who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.

1. not rendering evil for evil. Compared to our higher, spiritual-self, our personal-self reacts—both to others as well as to our own selves—directly, returning good for good, evil for evil. Only as our understanding of Principle, our love of Divine rightness, and our desire to spiritually transform grow and increase, will we be able to respond to negativity (our own and others’) with Truth and love. Blessing evil is more successful than fighting it. Jesus proved this to be true by befriending publicans and sinners and converting them to right living.
2. that you may inherit a blessing. Unless we acknowledge blessings we remain unconscious of them, and so we miss the joy they are capable of affording us. In accordance with the law that we reap as we have sown, we “inherit” the blessing that we bestow. By blessing our circumstances regardless what they may be, and by blessing others regardless of their attitude, we set in motion the causes that bring blessings into our own life. Doing good brings good to us in the form of a mind that is at ease, a good conscience, and an untroubled outlook on life.
3. the eyes, ears, face of the Lord. The “Lord” is the omnipotent I AM. The “eyes of the Lord” and “His ears” are the perceptive powers of the I AM, which know and perceive our right motives, thoughts, and acts. The “face of the Lord” is the awareness of the I AM principle, which embraces the Divine both within us and within our environments.
4. having a good conscience. A good (guilt-free) conscience is a great blessing because it creates constructive effects in our life, instead of accumulating negations to be overcome.
5. It is better . . . that you suffer for doing well. The joy and good conscience that come from well-doing are a reward in and of themselves, and that even though we may experience suffering, this suffering cannot reduce or destroy these inner rewards. On the other hand, evil (acting against our own good conscience) inflicts its own penalty, so that when we suffer for evil-doing, we are in fact doubly punished.

^4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind;1 for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin; ^4:2 that you no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. ^4:3 For we have spent enough of our past time doing the desire of the Gentiles,2 and having walked in lewdness, lusts, drunken binges, orgies, carousings, and abominable idolatries. ^4:4 They think it is strange that you don't run with them into the same excess of riot, blaspheming: ^4:5 who will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.3 ^4:6 For to this end the Good News was preached even to the dead, that they might be judged indeed as men in the flesh, but live as to God in the spirit.

^4:7 But the end of all things is near.4 Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer. ^4:8 And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins. ^4:9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. ^4:10 As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms. ^4:11 If anyone speaks, let it be as it were the very words of God. If anyone serves, let it be as of the strength which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

1. arm yourselves also with the same mind. The greatest discovery of any age is the power of thought. Thought is that process in mind by which substance is acted upon by energy directed by intelligence. Thus three factors are involved in every thought: substance, energy, intelligence. Spirit is not thought, but lies back of thought. Thought is the first emanation of Spirit. Thought is movement of ideas in mind. One of the laws of thought is that of like attracting like. “Birds of a feather flock together.” So kindred thoughts gravitate together by a law Divine and universal.
2. the desire of the Gentiles. There are many thought atmospheres in this realm in which we live. Two grand divisions are recognized by Christian writers: the Gentile thought and the Israel thought. The Gentile thought is the outer, the senses, and the Israel thought the inner, the spiritual.
3. to judge the living and the dead. The “dead” are those thoughts unconscious of Truth. The “living” are those thoughts just awakened, but not fully enlightened. The “judge” is Truth itself, with which every thought in consciousness must align and harmonize.
4. the end of all things is near. This is the dissolution in mind of that realm that believes in the reality of material things and conditions. When the Truth enters the consciousness, a great change begins in our viewpoint. The reality of body and its environments gradually dissolves in thought and we see the end of earth. Then our minds become truly sound, and we are sober and prayerful.

^4:12 Beloved, don't be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you,1 to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you. ^4:13 But because you are partakers of Christ's sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation2 of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy. ^4:14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed;3 because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified. ^4:15 For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or a meddler in other men's matters. ^4:16 But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter. ^4:17 For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. If it begins first with us, what will happen to those who don't obey the Good News of God? ^4:18 "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will happen to the ungodly and the sinner?"[12] ^4:19 Therefore let them also who suffer according to the will of God in doing good entrust their souls to him, as to a faithful Creator.

1. don't be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you. All adverse experiences come about under law. In the light of cause and effect, nothing is strange or mysterious; everything is understandable. On the positive note, smooth sailing leaves our faith untried, tending it to become inactive from disuse, thus, challenges, when faced aright, strengthen and arouse our faith to its highest pitch of effectiveness.
2. rejoice ... at the revelation. To suffer as a Christian means that when we find ourselves reaping the fruit of error, we study to understand the inner cause. Instead of holding others responsible for what has happened to us, we use suffering to clarify our understanding of the Law and we affix the lesson in our subconsciousness through the heightened emotion thus aroused, so that we may not have to repeat the experience.
3. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed. Why? Because such occasions are powerful opportunities for our transmutation. We are blessed because we are being given an opportunity to subordinate our individual will to the general good, to affirm the Truth we know (that God uses all things for good, that God is faithful, etc.), to practice concentrating our thoughts on the love and power of God that is at work in us and through us, and because such insults are living proof that the Spirit of the Christ is ascending in us!

^5:1 I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and who will also share in the glory that will be revealed. ^5:2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not for dishonest gain, but willingly; ^5:3 neither as lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock. ^5:4 When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that doesn't fade away.

^5:5 Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder.1 Yes, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."[13] ^5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God,2 that he may exalt you in due time; ^5:7 casting all your worries3 on him, because he cares for you.

^5:8 Be sober and self-controlled.4 Be watchful. Your adversary the devil, walks around like a roaring lion,5 seeking whom he may devour. ^5:9 Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings. ^5:10 But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. ^5:11 To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

1. be subject to the elder. The “elder” we are to be subject to and obey is Christ; our One Master, Teacher, and Lord. And we must “gird ourselves with humility” because humility is essential to Chris-likeness.
2. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God. Try to align ourselves with the Divine Law so as to express the wisdom, love, and power of the Holy Spirit. We are not to follow our personal leading but to depend on Divine leading.
3. casting all your worries. In order to cast all our anxiety upon God we need faith (Peter). Faith gives us the courage to meet life in a serene spirit, knowing that whatever may come, we shall be able to extract good from the experience by meeting it in the name and through the power of Jesus Christ.
4. Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. These inner states are to be applied over of our own thoughts and tendencies rather than upon others. Caring about and watchfulness over our inner life is the “shepherding of our flock” and is consistent with casting all our care or anxiety upon God, growing in us a faith to trust Divine Mind to be equal to our emergencies.
5. a roaring lion. The adversarial devil that “walks around like a roaring lion” is doing so, first and foremost, in our consciousness. This “lion” is anything that seeks to and succeeds at weakening our faith in the good. As seekers of spiritual transmutation, we must guard against anything that would “devour the Truth” from us, and so we must, at all times, remain mentally sober, self-controlled, watchful, and

^5:12 Through Silvanus, our faithful brother, as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand. ^5:13 She who is in Babylon,1 chosen together with you, greets you; and so does Mark, my son. ^5:14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.2 Peace be to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

1. See
2. she who is in Babylon. To be “in Babylon” is to be in a state of confusion or mixture. Whether on the level of the outer physical, the senses, or on the mental/consciousness, Babylon is a chaotic condition. There are times when we find ourselves in the confusion of the senses and its thoughts are so strong that they seem to have us in complete subjugation. Such cases symbolize captivity in Babylon. (MBD/Babylon)
3. Greet one another with a kiss of love. [To kiss is “to put together; to touch gently; to handle; to be equipped with,” and so a kiss represents the concept of “fastening together or arranging things in order”. Such a “contemplative kissing” practice also has the added benefit of building up our faith (Peter) that we may more easily greet every arising past memory, current circumstance, and future longing with a kiss.]