Expulsion isn’t just an ancient story about Adam and Eve leaving Eden. It’s something deeply human, something we experience in our lives. Expulsion is the feeling of being cast out—from a friendship broken by harsh words, from a family bond fractured by unresolved conflict, or from intimacy lost because anger was allowed to fester. Expulsion is the ache of loneliness we feel after letting pride drive us away from those we love. It’s the emptiness we experience when bitterness steals our joy and peace, leaving us exiled from true connection—with others, and ultimately, with God.

Victor Hugo illustrates this painful truth powerfully in his story, Les Misérables. Jean Valjean is released from prison after nineteen grueling years. Yet, even though he’s physically free, Valjean remains imprisoned mentally and emotionally. His anger, resentment, and bitterness still hold him captive, because society continues to reject him, unwilling to forgive or accept him. Everywhere he turns, doors slam shut, reinforcing his expulsion, deepening his anger, and pushing him further from grace.

In desperation, Valjean is welcomed one night into the home of a kind Bishop who treats him with compassion and dignity. Yet, Valjean repays the Bishop’s mercy by stealing his silverware and fleeing. Quickly captured by authorities and dragged back, Valjean expects condemnation. Instead, the Bishop does something extraordinary. He shields Valjean from punishment by telling the police, “I gave him the silver.” Turning gently to Valjean, the Bishop then hands him two additional silver candlesticks, quietly adding, “You forgot these.”

In that moment of radical grace, the Bishop shatters Valjean’s chains of anger and resentment. He invites Valjean back from his exile, reconnecting him with compassion, mercy, and ultimately with God.

This truth speaks directly to us today. In Matthew chapter 5, Jesus teaches us clearly how anger expels us from the presence of God, how bitterness isolates us from the peace He desires for us. Jesus offers the antidote to this daily exile: “Turn the other cheek… Go the extra mile.” Jesus isn’t asking us to be passive; He’s calling us to courageous acts of forgiveness and grace. When we forgive, we break the chains of anger, reclaiming the relationships and intimacy anger tried to steal.

Each moment of forgiveness we offer restores us closer to Eden. Anger isolates, but mercy reconnects. Bitterness exiles, but grace invites us back home.

On this Expulsion Sunday, Let us ask ourselves: What anger are we  holding onto that’s keeping us exiled? Who do we need to forgive to restore broken relationships, peace, and connection with God? Today, let us choose forgiveness. Choose to end the exile. Allow God’s grace to lead us home, back into His presence, joy, and peace.