The word of the day is “peculiar.”  Nations and societies generally expect that those who live in them conform to their ways.  But the faithful do not ultimately belong to any particular state or culture.  The writer of 1 Peter proclaims, “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people (KJV vs. 2:9).  Our reading of 1 Peter 1:1-2; 10-12; 2: 6:10 teaches that we who have received the mercy of God should not try to fit in to the social order in which we live.  Rather, we should live as God’s own peculiar people called to “proclaim the works of God” and shine His light in the darkness of this world. Today we begin…