Sunday Reflection (April 20, 2025)

 Paul exhorts us to live a compassionate life based not on fear and judgment but on the hope of resurrection. Living in such a manner can empower the world with a glimpse of the quality of resurrection life. Jesus’s teaching and life displayed what’s ultimately coming down the pike that counters our notions of power and boundaries of exclusion. Although he had all the power in the world, he didn’t oppress anyone. Although he could have kept to himself, he went outside his boundaries to share God’s love. He refused to return evil for evil, hatred for hatred, and punch for punch, a different way of life because of the resurrection of Jesus. As Christians, we can embody this hope by loving even our enemies, sharing grace and kindness, and practicing forgiveness and reconciliation in our relationships.  

Despite our proclamation of the resurrection, Christians have not always lived lives that reflect the quality of life in the resurrection. We have often disregarded the societal structures that perpetuate injustice, and we have shown little compassion for the struggles of poor immigrants. Our judgment has been clouded by prejudice, leading to the mistreatment of others on personal and social levels. Does the resurrection of Jesus genuinely influence how you live your life? Or do you harbor the same hatred, fears, and prejudices as those who do not know God? However, empowered by the Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, let us show the world a glimpse of God’s inviting, forgiving, and compassionate love by challenging injustice wherever we find it.