It was necessary that Christ should suffer and so enter into his glory.

On Tuesday within the Octave of Easter our Church invites us to first read and reflect on a passage from the beginning of the first letter of Saint Peter (1:22---2:10) entitled "The life of God's children". Our treasure, which follows, is from a discourse by Saint Anastasius of Antioch. The church of Antioch is held to be the first church of Christianity and is said to be established in the year 37. Antioch was then the capital of the east and where the faith so clearly took such deep roots as to give birth there to the named Christians. Saint Anastasius was a 6th-century bishop and Patriarch of Antioch who played an important role in preserving correct teaching about Jesus Christ during a time of theological conflict. He was the patriarch of Antioch twice. Living during the aftermath of the Council of Chalcedon and because of his firm  stance against heretical views, he faced exile more than once. His main contribution to the teachings of the Catholic Church was his clear defense of the true identity of Jesus Christ during a time of confusion and division. He firmly taught that Jesus is one divine Person who possesses both a full divine nature and a full human nature, without confusion or separation. Some have referred to Saint Anastasius as "a man of singular learning and piety". He is remembered as a courageous teacher and shepherd who helped safeguard the Church's understanding of who Christ truly is. The first letter of Saint Peter begins with an address by Peter to Christian communities located in five provinces of Asia Minor, including areas evangelized by Paul. Christians there are encouraged to remain faithful to their standards of belief and conduct despite threats of persecution. Numerous allusions in the letter suggest that the churches addressed were largely of Gentile composition, though considerable use is made of the Old Testament. The central teaching of the First Letter of Saint Peter is that Christians, as "sojourners and exiles" in the world, are called to live in steadfast hope, holiness, and faithful endurance amid suffering by keeping their eyes fixed on the saving work of Jesus Christ. Saint Peter encourages believers who are experiencing trials and persecution to remain faithful, because suffering for Christ is not meaningless but shares in Christ's own paschal suffering and leads to glory. The letter emphasizes a new identity rooted in baptism: Christians are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation called to proclaim God's mercy through lives of moral integrity, mutual love, and humble submission to God's will.