The 4th Sunday of Easter: Scriptures: Revelation 7:9-17; John 10:22-30
Key Verse: “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27
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Hello, This is Jade.
Welcome to Yi.kigai
A space for all to explore the intersection between faith and daily life
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Easter Blessings to you. It is the 4th Sunday of Easter.
On this Mother’s Day, may God’s blessings be upon all mothers and all who play the role of caring, nurturing, and protecting their younger ones. Let’s give thanks to God for God’s love, lavishly and generously given especially to those who call upon God when they are weary and lost. Amen.
One morning I got a text from the director of the Child Development Center asking me if I could go and talk to a little girl who was about 2 years old. None of the teachers could stop her crying and were hoping that I might be able to help the situation since the little girl and I shared Chinese as our first language. I was told that her mom was expecting a second child and thought that sending her to the daycare might benefit both of them during this new transition. Unfortunately, the little girl had a hard time comprehending all these changes without knowing what it would be like when a new baby joined the family and if she might lose her mom’s care or attention. Such insecurity is commonly seen among toddlers when a family is expecting another child.
The moment I walked into the classroom where she was, I saw her sitting on the floor and crying. So, I walked toward her and said to her in Chinese, “怎麼了? 看妳哭得這麼傷心! What’s happening? Look at you, crying your eyes out!” All of sudden, she stopped crying for a second, turned her head to look at me, and came to hug me tightly and cried even louder. I held her and patted her back for a while. Then she finally managed to stop crying but didn’t want to let me go. That was my first time meeting her, but she trusted me right away simply because I spoke her first language and that comforted her.
In John 10, we heard that Jesus used the gate image to tell his followers that he was there to protect his flock from all danger. By this time, the Jews already had a hard time hearing him out. There wasn’t any language or cultural barrier but a closed heart that made them feel furious and upset. I can’t help but wonder if Jesus had come to give God’s promise and protection only to the Jews. The resistance to Jesus might not have been high among those who were doing socially and economically well. Surprisingly, Jesus came not only for them but also for the marginalized communities, the sick and poor, and even for the Gentiles. God’s salvation and love for all certainly challenged the Jews who had thought that they were the only chosen nation, the only child.
After seeing all the good words and deeds that Jesus had done, some Jews could see God’s saving was for all but some had a hard time trusting and believing what God had revealed before their eyes. As the people of God, may we embrace it, and let us keep spreading the Good News to all and praise that we have a God like the greatest mom in the world who loves, cares, nurtures our soul, our mind, our heart each day.
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May your coming week be blessed by God’s grace
As together we explore the intersection between faith and daily life
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