JUNE32024

We start reading this week from the Second Epistle of Peter. This epistle which claims Petrine authorship was probably written late in the New Testament period (it refers to the Pauline letters as “scripture”) so was, in all likelihood written by a disciple of Peter and claimed his authority. The letter contains what later tradition called “the ladder of perfection.” Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, virtue with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with devotion, devotion with mutual affection, mutual affection with love. As spiritual writers described it, life in the Spirit develops in steps or stages. We start with faith and then build upon that foundation to grow in holiness. The description on the epistle is typical of the “ladder” — as you deepen your spiritual life you take the next step until you reach the fullness of charity which is self-giving love. The ladder reminds us to not grow content but to continue on our journey toward God step by step.