The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.”

Matthew 28:5-6

Easter was on April 4 this year.  The date when we remember the passing of Dr. Martin Luther King. Although he lost his life on that fateful day, his spirit was released.  His spirit was released so that civil rights for all can be had.  During this week when the George Floyd trial has begun we pray for true reform and justice for all.  During this month when six women of Asian decent lost their lives in Atlanta we pray for an end to hate crimes against all of the AAPI community. All means all.  As Ossama Kamel said at our Parkview prayer vigil, “Everybody has a right to live is not a radical concept.”  May we be the Easter people that we are called to be.  Ones who bring hope.  Ones who bring love.  Ones who bring reform.  Ones who create change.  Ones who take a stand.  Ones who show up.  Ones who release the power of resurrection in a country where it can sometimes feel like a perpetual Good Friday.  May we release the spirit of Jesus who brings a new kind of love, a radical love, a love that says everybody is a child of God and worthy of life.