In April, my family and I were invited to a Seder meal, a Jewish ritual that commemorates Passover. It was lovely, and throughout the readings, questions were asked: 

• What promises would you like to make to repair our world?
• How will we stand up to the injustices of today?
• Where do we find ourselves split, unable to show up fully as ourselves in different spaces?

I left grateful — reminded to remember the past, celebrate the moments of God’s deliverance and work for liberation in this moment.

I’m still considering these questions during the 50 days of Eastertide that move us toward Pentecost. Leftover chocolate bunnies and budding plants are indeed part of Eastertide, but I also need the hope that Jesus’ resurrection provides.

I find the disciples’ post-Resurrec­tion actions and foibles relatable. They experience disbelief, grief and blindness. But God does not leave them there.

In a reflection at SaltProject.org, Matthew Myer Boulton writes about the joy of Easter and the struggle that remains.

“He is risen, but still: He is wounded. The triumph comes complete with the marks of ruin, the marks of death, the marks of cruelty all around us even now.”

Jesus triumphs, but the marks remain.

Yet the world’s crosses and cruelty do not have the final say: “The powers of death and domination, mockery and might, the endless cycle of intimidation, torture, scapegoats, violence and victims — all are on the wrong side of history. They will not prevail, no matter how much it looks like they already have.”

May we resist, knowing there is already victory.