6th Sunday before Easter | 1st Sunday in Lent
On this first Sunday in Lent, as we begin our journey through the season of repentance, prayer, and reflection, we are invited to consider what it means to stand with the outcasts and marginalized. Throughout the Bible, we see how God consistently reaches out to those who are often left behind—those who suffer, those who are excluded, and those who are deemed unworthy by society. Jesus’ ministry was one marked by His constant engagement with such people. Today, we are called to reflect on how we can embody Christ’s example and stand with the marginalized in our communities and in the world.
1. Esther: A Call to Action for the Marginalized
In Esther 4:1-17, we encounter a profound story of courage and advocacy. Mordecai, a Jewish man, learns that an edict has been issued to annihilate the Jewish people. In his grief and desperation, he turns to his cousin, Esther, who is now queen in the Persian court. Despite her position, Esther’s life and that of her people are under threat. Mordecai implores her to intervene with the king and plead for mercy. Esther is initially hesitant, knowing that approaching the king uninvited could result in her death. Yet, Mordecai challenges her: “Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
Esther’s story is a reminder that, no matter where we are, God calls us to act in moments of crisis, especially for the vulnerable and marginalized. Esther had the power to make a difference, but it required courage to step out of her comfort zone. Similarly, we are called to use the platforms, positions, and resources we have to stand for justice, especially for those who have no voice or who are overlooked by society.
2. The Psalmist’s Cry: Seeking Justice for the Oppressed
In Psalm 43, the psalmist cries out to God for justice and deliverance from the hands of the wicked. This prayer reflects the deep pain and sorrow that comes from being oppressed or excluded. The psalmist pleads for God’s light to guide them to the place where He dwells, a place of justice, healing, and hope.
This cry is not just for personal salvation, but for a restoration of what is right—God’s justice in a world where the marginalized often suffer. When we experience the suffering of others, our own hearts are called to cry out, as the psalmist does, for justice. As we reflect on the psalm today, we are invited to ask: How can we become instruments of God’s justice for the marginalized in our world?
3. Acts: The Inclusion of the Gentiles
In Acts 15:12-21, the apostles face a significant question in the early Church: Should Gentile converts to Christianity be required to follow the Jewish law? James, a leader in the Church, speaks up, emphasizing that God’s work is not limited to one group of people. As the prophets foretold, God’s plan includes all people—both Jews and Gentiles. The Gospel of Jesus Christ transcends boundaries, calling all people to salvation and equality before God.
The early Church, in its wisdom, recognizes that the message of Christ’s love and redemption is not meant for a select few but for all people, regardless of background, ethnicity, or status. This inclusion challenges us to consider how we, too, can be more inclusive in our faith communities. Do we welcome the marginalized and outcasts, or do we create barriers that exclude them? As followers of Jesus, we are called to expand our vision of who belongs in God’s kingdom.
4. Mark: Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy
In Mark 1:40-45, we read a powerful story of Jesus’ compassion. A man with leprosy, a person often shunned by society, approaches Jesus and begs to be healed. Jesus, moved with compassion, touches him—something no one would dare to do. In that moment, the man is healed, restored not only physically but also socially.
Jesus didn’t just heal the man’s leprosy; He restored his dignity. Leprosy, in Jesus’ time, was more than a physical illness—it was a condition that rendered one an outcast. Yet Jesus didn’t shy away from touching this man. He reached across the social and religious boundaries of His time and showed the man that he mattered. Jesus’ actions reveal God’s deep love for those who are outcast and marginalized. And as His followers, we are called to embody that same love.
5. The Call to Stand with the Marginalized
This brings us to the heart of our reflection today. Being with the outcasts and marginalized is not a passive act; it is an active commitment to stand in solidarity with those who are overlooked, oppressed, or excluded. Jesus’ ministry shows us that being with the marginalized means entering their suffering, sharing in their struggles, and being advocates for their dignity and justice.
As Christians, we are called to reflect the love and compassion that Jesus showed to the leper, to the outcast, and to the oppressed. It means standing with those who are voiceless in society—the homeless, the refugees, the marginalized ethnic groups, those living with mental illness, the incarcerated, and all who face discrimination. When we stand with them, we participate in God’s work of bringing His kingdom of justice, mercy, and peace into the world.
Living the Call: A Personal Challenge
Each of us is called to be like Esther, to stand up for what is right even when it’s hard, to be like the psalmist, crying out for God’s justice, and to be like Jesus, reaching out with compassion to those society rejects. This Lenten season is an opportunity for us to examine our lives: Are we standing with the marginalized? Are we offering our time, our resources, and our voices to those who need us most?
Let this be a season where we embrace the call to stand with the outcasts. May we, like Esther, say yes to God’s call for such a time as this, even when it is difficult.
Let us Pray for the Marginalized
God of the margins,
You are the refuge and hope of all who suffer. We thank You for Your unending love for the outcasts, for Your Son who touched the untouchable and healed the brokenhearted. As we walk through this Lenten journey, help us to be Your hands and feet in the world. Give us the courage to stand with those who are oppressed, the compassion to see their struggles, and the strength to act in ways that bring justice, peace, and hope.
Lord, help us to follow the example of Jesus, who didn’t shy away from those rejected by society, but instead brought healing and restoration. May we, too, bring Your love and justice to the margins of our world, knowing that by doing so, we are serving You.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.