Salvation Series: Part 1
"Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, He himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham." – Hebrews 2:14-16, NRSV-ACE
Guiding Question:
“Reading this, how can we overcome the systems that enslave us and embrace the transformative power of Christ’s love in our daily lives?”
LF Reflection: Slavery vs. Love
Dear brothers and sisters, I come to you with a heavy heart. Many systems—economic, educational, technological, spiritual, and governmental—can enslave us, making it easy to succumb to the troubles in our lives. Amid these forces, we often feel overwhelmed, depressed, and hopeless. These reactions are understandable, but they only propagate a heavy heart. Furthermore, most of these systems are beyond our control, and those who hold power are often untrusted or unknown. This leaves many people feeling disconnected or tempted to “Rage Against the Machine,” as the 1991 rock band had so famously named themselves. Suffice it to say these emotions are nothing new. People throughout history have faced similar struggles since the beginning of time. The way we react to them will either empower us or enslave us as one people—one nation under God.
Jesus, born with a flesh-and-blood human body, shares these struggles with us. As stated so clearly in Hebrews 2:14-16, He did not come for angels; He came to free us from the grips of Satan, who enslaves humanity through guilt and sin, reinforcing the negative emotions we face. With Satan affecting our society in such ways, it’s no surprise that our world is far from perfect. We witness so much horror and death that many have become desensitized. If tragedy doesn’t directly affect our community, it’s become too easy to feel ambivalent. This indifference has allowed society to sideline many Christian values and moral principles, replacing them with the ideology of supremacy and control. This all too often replaces love and compassion for our fellow man. Personal safety becomes paramount, leading to selling each other out. Sadly, this is the way of life in many nations worldwide, of which I will not name. But this behavior is especially prevalent in war-torn countries—again, nothing new. To make the point extremely clear, humanity has killed, maimed, and ruled with fear throughout history, and this has echoed across all faith traditions as they try to assert dominance and control over the world.
That is why Jesus’s command to “Love one another” was shocking then and still seems an unattainable ideal today. But I must clarify: the concept of love is also not new. In fact, it first appears in Leviticus 19:18: “Love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord,” dating back to 1400–1200 BCE—approximately 3,225 years ago. This command is repeated in the New Testament, first in Matthew 22:39 (Jesus quoting Leviticus): “And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” It’s repeated in John 13:34, where Jesus speaks to His disciples: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
Jesus emphasized this teaching through His ultimate sacrifice on the cross. For many, loving others to that extent seems unattainable. Yet God’s perfect example of selfless love—sending His Son to die on the cross, delivering humanity from slavery and death, and granting us eternal freedom—is beyond comprehension. It’s a love that transforms and frees us.
The key is in Jesus’s response to the cost of discipleship, as emphasized in Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, and Luke 9:23: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Jesus was not speaking literally but metaphorically, calling His followers to a life of self-sacrifice, deep commitment, and daily dedication to His teachings—even if it meant suffering or facing difficult circumstances. Living out one’s faith in this radical and authentic way is a challenge—again, another goal that seems unreachable for humanity. Unfortunately, throughout history, authoritarian leaders have ignored Christ’s commands, though espousing them, ruling in ways that reflect the brutality of previous ages.
The good news is that we don’t have to live this way. God is on our side, and we can choose something different. “Love one another as yourself” means offering others the same grace, agency, and kindness we give ourselves. Love others with the same unconditional love that God has shown us in the Bible—it is freeing and saving. Forgiveness cleanses the conscience; humility softens the prideful heart, and wisdom tempers the tongue.
Imagine a world where people don’t disregard injustice but confront it with truth and wisdom. Picture a world where everyone is respected, heard, and treated with dignity, returning to the social norms of effective communication and mutual respect. One critical aspect of communication that has been lost is remaining calm and using respectful dialogue, where individuals listen to one another and respond thoughtfully.
If we apply Jesus’s eternal message of love, we will break free from the world’s misery and draw closer to God. We will shatter the chains of Satan and find shelter in Jesus, becoming His true brothers and sisters—children of the living God.
Amen
Saint Joseph, Pray for us.
LET US PRAY
Please take a moment today—this week and pray for the following aircraft-related incidents:
Over the past week, two significant aviation accidents resulted in multiple fatalities:
1. Midair Collision in Washington, D.C. (January 29, 2025):
A midair collision occurred over the Potomac River between an American Airlines passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. All 67 individuals aboard both aircraft were killed. The victims included 55 passengers and crew members on the American Airlines flight and 12 military personnel on the Black Hawk helicopter. The collision is considered one of the deadliest aviation incidents in the U.S. since 2001. — reuters.com
2. Medical Transport Plane Crash in Philadelphia (January 31, 2025):
A Learjet 55 medical transport plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, resulting in seven fatalities, including a motorist on the ground. The aircraft was en route to Mexico and had six people on board. The crash caused a massive fire, damaging several vehicles and homes in a densely populated residential area. Among the victims was a young girl who had been receiving treatment at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the cause of the accident. — politico.com
These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges in aviation safety and the profound impact such tragedies have on the victims’ families and communities.
“May the Lord comfort the families in this great time of sadness. May He hold them in his grace and love. May God accept the deceased and bring them home to his great and beautiful kingdom. May they find rest and comfort in his heart forever and ever.”
Amen 🙏
WAYS TO GIVE:
DC PLANE CRASH: GoFundMe Verified Fundraisers: GoFundMe has established a page featuring verified fundraisers for families impacted by the deadly midair collision near Washington, D.C. You can donate directly to these fundraisers to support those affected.
PHILADELPHIA CRASH: Shriners Children’s Donations: The medical transport plane that crashed in Philadelphia was associated with Shriners Children’s. While specific fundraisers for the affected families may not be available, donating to Shriners Children’s can support their ongoing efforts to assist children and families in need.
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