This Week’s New Articles

Answer to the travel picture on Home Page: The Church of All Nations next to the Garden of Gethsemane in Jerusalem

In today’s world, group activity organizers often use social media to share information and remind everyone to be punctual before gatherings. Among peers and close friends, casual language is usually fine, and you might even joke about it, saying things like, “Don’t forget to come. We won’t leave until you get here.” However, for more formal meetings—especially when respected individuals are present—improper wording can cause misunderstandings, come across as disrespectful, and negatively affect future interactions.

Every language contains various levels of vocabulary, ranging from official announcements to formal language to everyday speech. Even without emojis, readers within the same culture can easily sense the sender’s attitude. When I was younger, I enjoyed joking around. In a circle of classmates or church fellowship friends who had known each other for years, a bit of teasing was no big deal. I used to think that cracking a joke could lighten the mood and bring people closer together.

While in college, I once made a half-joking comment to a new acquaintance, and after that, I noticed a subtle distance had developed between us. Only later did I discover from someone else that my remark had been perceived as disrespectful. There were several other occasions where, without intending to, I offended others with my words. Through these experiences, I learned that humor needs to be sensitive to both the individual and the relationship.

Sending messages in group chats on social media or via text is more complicated than speaking face to face. This is because people with different personalities interpret messages differently, even though they all receive the same limited information. For instance, someone might send a message assuming that everyone has forgotten about the meeting that was scheduled a month ago. The phrase “let me remind you” in Chinese carries the connotation of jogging someone’s memory.

This reveals that senders often hold certain assumptions, which influence their word choice. If these assumptions are incorrect—such as believing the mistake lies with others rather than themselves—they can lead to trouble. For example, suppose it was agreed that the documents are due on a specific date. When the documents are not received, the sender might write, “I’ll give you a grace period; please send them immediately,” without realizing that their own email system failed, or that they provided an incorrect phone number. These types of “reminders,” when worded as warnings, can offend others without the sender realizing it.

In a group setting, it’s better to approach things with humility and to avoid making assumptions. For the benefit and goals of the group, offer reminders in a fair and considerate tone. A few polite phrases go a long way—something like, “Perhaps everyone is busy with more pressing matters, but in order to help the group meet its goal on time, we sincerely ask for your cooperation…” If someone does forget, he/she will appreciate the nudge. If someone is busy, feeling respected might motivate them to take care of the task sooner than planned.

There’s a saying: “No one ever blames those who are overly polite.” This means that being exceptionally courteous, generous, or formal rarely causes offense—in fact, it’s almost always appreciated. Even if such gestures aren’t strictly necessary, they help foster goodwill and strengthen relationships over time.

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My husband and I volunteered for eight weeks at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem before the pandemic. The Garden Tomb, tucked away just outside the old city walls of Jerusalem, is revered by many as the site of Jesus’ burial and resurrection. During our time there, every morning as sunlight filtered through olive branches and birds flitted above ancient stones, I found myself immersed not only in history, but in the heartbeat of Christian faith.

At the very heart of the Garden Tomb is the Christian belief that, on the third day, Jesus rose from the grave. As a volunteer, I witnessed countless visitors from every continent contemplating this fact. To stand in a space that many believe witnessed the single most transformative event in human history is a humbling experience. It’s a reminder that resurrection is the living hope of believers across generations and cultures.

One detail that captivated me was the small window carved into the tomb’s stone wall. In ancient Jewish tradition, such a window was often placed in a tomb to allow the soul to leave.

The story of Lazarus, another resurrection with its own unique details, came alive when I looked at the small opening on the stone wall. Recorded in the Gospel of John, Lazarus was in the tomb for four days before Christ called him out. In ancient times, the fourth day was significant, as it was believed that the spirit had left the tomb by then, making resurrection even more miraculous. As I walked among those ancient stones in Jerusalem, I found new resonance: Jesus commands life not only over death, but over hopelessness, over finality, over the “impossible.”

Our weeks at the Garden Tomb were weeks of service—greeting pilgrims, tending gardens, taking care of the gift shop. Yet they were also weeks of encounter. The history, the passion, the small window in the stone, all became part of my faith journey. In that quiet garden, I learned more about faith, hope, and the enduring possibility of new beginnings.

As the world continues to seek healing and restoration, the empty tomb and its small, hope-filled window remind me daily: the story is not over.

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”

Do you believe this?