In his exhortation, Peter mentions four important elements of the Christian life: prayer, love, hospitality, service. There are, of course, many ways of speaking about the important elements of our Christian life, for that life is very richly endowed with God's grace. Frequently, too, when we speak of one element, we will hint at others. Thus Peter encourages us to remain calm so that we will be able to pray. Silence of heart and mind, body and soul, creates the atmosphere for prayer. But interior silence during the time of prayer is not enough. Exterior and interior calmness and silence are necessary overreaching qualities of life. If we fill our lives with noise and distractions, it will be difficult to come to that silence and calmness which favours and fosters prayer.

We probably seldom think of hospitality as a Christian virtue. We may understand hospitality as an aspect of the universality of that love which Jesus revealed in his new commandment - an open-heart welcome and care for others.

Service will flow from love, hospitality and an awareness of the talents we have received, for talents are not given merely for our own good but for the good of the whole Church, and even the good of all humanity.