The Joy of Resurrection: The fuel That Drives Me to be an Agent of Change

As we prepare to celebrate the joyous resurrection of Jesus this Easter, I am reminded of the power of hope, renewal, and sacrifice. But as I reflect on the joy of the resurrection, I also think about the journey that led to this moment—the suffering, the sacrifice, and the love that Jesus showed us through His ultimate act of giving. His path was not without hardship, yet He never wavered in His mission of compassion. As we celebrate His victory over death, I invite you to also reflect on the responsibility we all share to walk in His footsteps. Just as Jesus gave of Himself, even in the face of immense suffering, we too are called to love and care for one another, in the face of the challenges we face.

The Easter story is not just about Jesus rising from the dead; it is also about His time on Earth showing us what it meant to love unconditionally—whether it was through reaching out to the poor, welcoming the marginalized, embracing those rejected by religious authorities, or offering compassion to those in need.

Just as Jesus did, we face many challenges and injustices today. We see the suffering and determination of immigrant families. We become ever more aware of the deep racism in and around us.  We witness the suffering of Mother Earth and of all those unable to participate equally in our economic system. In the face of these challenges, I see opportunities for growth and positive change. I consider this Easter my personal call to stand with those who are most affected by these injustices—just as Jesus stood with the least, the last, and the lost. The resurrection is the most powerful reminder that in the face of adversity, hope and change are possible. But that change begins with me. It is not enough to simply celebrate the joy of Christ’s resurrection; I am called to actively share that joy through my actions.

Sacrifice is at the heart of Easter, and in today’s world, I ask myself: What am I willing to sacrifice to make the world a better place for others? Am I willing to take action on behalf of those whose voices have been silenced? Can I be the hands and feet of Christ in a world that desperately needs love, justice, and peace? I invite you to reflect on these questions as well.

My hope is that we can let the joy of the resurrection be the fuel that drives us to take care of one another, to advocate for justice, and to actively live out the values that Jesus taught us. Christ is risen, and in that victory, we are called to be agents of change in the world—bringing light to the darkness and hope to the hopeless. In all circumstances I am sustained by hope in the unfailing grace of Christ’s resurrected presence.