203 THE LAST BEATITUDE. JOY SUFFERING IN the “faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1,7). The reward (element D) is clearly mentioned, while joy in suffering (elements C, B) appears in the previous verse: “in this you rejoice though now for a little while, you may have to suffer various trials ”. There is no makarism in this Letter’s overture, but an echo of the last beatitude can be heard. 1 Pet 4,12-16 stands out as the emblematic text containing all the topics of the last beatitude. The first call not be astounded at the fiery ordeal is followed by the words (4,13): “rejoice in so far as you share Christ’s sufferings that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed”. Clearly elements C, B, D come together, while the makarism (A) comes in the next verse: “if you are reproached for the name of Christ, you are blessed”. There is a strong correspondence not only with the last beatitude, but also with its vocabulary. First of all, the couple xairein – agalliasuai, is ß ˜ only present here and in the Matthean text, besides Rev 19,7. Then, there is the occurrence of the verb oneid¥zein together with the ß ı adjective makariov. Furthermore, the underlining of the expression ¥ en t√ onomati Xristoy, showing that the tradition of the early ß ß¥ ˜ church about the words in Matthew’s gospel: eneken emoy, has ™ ߘ been interpreted in this way: to undergo pain and suffering for His name’s sake 89. A third passage, 1 Pet 3,13-17, is placed in the midst of a section where the framework is the pursuit and practice of goodness and its power to triumph through suffering. The author, describing the condition of a righteous person: “now, who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is right?”, takes his immediate lead from the previous section which concludes with the words of Ps 34 (33). Then he adds (3,14): “but even if you do suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed”. Here the first two elements (B, A) of the beatitude are present. The fact of being elected and protected by God does not preclude suffering. On the contrary, the possibility of persecution is regarded as a blessing. The sentence is very close to Matt 5,10 where makariov, in the third person, is coupled with “for ¥ Cf. METZNER, Die Rezeption des Matthäusevangelium im 1. Petrusbrief 89 44 : “Die Wendung en t√ onomati Xristoy ist also sachlich identisch mit der ß ß¥ ˜ mt. Wendung eneken emoy ”. Cf. J. CERVANTES, La pasión de Jesucristo en la ¶ ߘ Primera Carta de Pedro. Centro literario y teológico de la carta (Estella 1991) 305-307.