Reflection Date: May 08, 2026 | Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Daily Readings: Acts 15:22-31; John 15:12-17
Children of God:
During the early colonization of the Americas, many debates arose about how indigenous peoples were being treated.
One of the persons that comes to mind is Bartolomé de las Casas.
Bartolomé de las Casas, a lawyer and a friar, witnessed firsthand the harsh realities imposed by the colonizers he once accompanied.
He saw natives forced into labor, stripped of their dignity, and treated as less than human.
The pursuit of wealth and power led many to justify cruelty and exploitation.
At first, he struggled with his own role in this system, realizing that silence made him complicit.
Over time, his conscience awakened, and he began to speak out strongly against these injustices.
He argued that the indigenous people were rational beings, capable of faith and deserving of respect.
He challenged both civil and religious authorities, calling for reforms and humane treatment.
His voice was not always welcomed, and he faced opposition from those who benefited from the system.
Yet he remained firm, believing that true Christianity could not exist without justice and love.
His witness became a powerful example of defending dignity even at great personal cost.
In the gospel of John, Jesus gave a command that went beyond comfort and convenience.
He told his disciples to love one another as he loved them, a love that was willing to give itself for others.
“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
The love he described was active, sacrificial, and courageous.
What can guide us today as we try to live out this kind of love?
First, real love defends dignity.
Jesus said, “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.”
His love was not selective or conditional.
It recognizes the worth of every person and acted to protect it.
Love is real when it stands up for others, especially those who are vulnerable.
Bartolomé de las Casas showed this kind of love when he defended the indigenous people.
He could have remained silent and comfortable, but he chose to speak.
His love was not just a feeling; it was a decision to act for justice.
In doing so, he reflected the command of Christ in a very concrete way.
In our own lives, we encounter moments when people are overlooked, judged, or treated unfairly.
Love calls us to respond, not ignore.
Defending dignity may not always be easy, but it is always necessary.
When we stand for others, we make love visible.
Second, real love is willing to sacrifice comfort.
Jesus said, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
He showed that love often required sacrifice.
It means giving up personal security or comfort for the sake of others.
In our daily experience, love may ask us to give up convenience, pride, or even our own preferences.
It may mean apologizing first, helping someone in need, or standing firm in difficult conversations.
These sacrifices may seem small, but they shape a life rooted in love.
As we reflect, we ask ourselves: Do I remain silent when I see others being treated unfairly, or do I speak with courage?
Do I choose comfort over love, or am I willing to make sacrifices for others? Do my actions reflect the kind of love that Jesus commanded?
Children of God:
The command to love is easy to say but challenging to live.
Jesus showed that love is not passive but active and self-giving.
Each day gives us opportunities to practice this kind of love.
In small and big ways, we are invited to choose love.
May we respond with hearts ready to act.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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