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Gospel Reflection for Friday, April 11, 2025
Defeats and Victories
Christianity offers an optimistic view of the world and history: everything was created by God and, in essence, everything is good. Yet this Christian optimism, as the philosopher E. Mounier described, is a “tragic optimism.” It is tragic because it is not naïve; it does not ignore or downplay evil. And yet, it continues to believe in the ultimate triumph of good: that the goodness of creation, born from God’s omnipotence, cannot be overcome by the evil resulting from humanity’s limited freedom.
The prophet Jeremiah powerfully conveys this tragic optimism: dark forces rise up against the righteous, the honorable, and the poor. These forces of evil may even appear friendly or kind, but their aim is to destroy those who oppose and expose their wrongdoing. Yet trust in the Lord ultimately prevails, enabling a song of praise to the God who delivers the poor from the hands of the wicked.
In Christ Jesus, we see with crystal clarity that the forces of evil are not only the result of illegitimate pursuits (through lies, deceit, or violence) for personal gain. Sometimes, even those who represent good, justice, or religion may oppose God’s will and the One who comes to bring heaven to earth and fulfill the Father’s will, which is solely one of goodness.
What we do not see as clearly now is the final triumph of good prophesied by Jeremiah. This triumph, which underpins Christian optimism, transcends the confines of this world, where evil often seems to prevail. This victory is the resurrection of Christ, affirming that goodness, forgiveness, and life will ultimately triumph—not with the tangible evidence of this world, but through the faith we receive in baptism. Amid persecution and adversity, Jesus upholds our optimism, stepping into the Jordan—a symbol of baptism—so that many may believe in Him and sing praises to God, who rescues the lives of the poor.
Warm regards,