Most of us who encounter a tragedy, such as discovery of a terminal illness, an accident or retrenchment from our job, would ask, “why me?” It is natural for us to want to make sense of our suffering. Even though we might never understand why we have to suffer, yet, we can at least situate suffering in the context of God’s plan for the salvation of humanity. 

The death of Jesus was God’s plan to bring about a greater good for humanity. Jesus’ death and resurrection were God’s way to show His infinite and unconditional love for humanity so that we will be moved to awareness of our sins and open ourselves to receive His forgiveness. Through Christ’s innocent suffering, people would be converted because of the love of God shown in His passion. How can we let go and integrate our suffering within the bigger picture of the plan of God?

If we spend more time talking about structures and administration of our parish and dioceses, rather than on how we can grow the mission and extend the gospel, we are on the wrong track. Our focus needs to always be on the greater good of the mission. All structures must change to meet the challenges that lie ahead of us. How can we, by our actions, respond and support such changes instead of maintaining the status quo?

The individualistic, materialistic and relativistic values of the world are in contradiction to the gospel that Christ teaches. Not just the world but even our own believers are subscribing to the secular values of the world, destroying marriage and family life, promoting the culture of death and leading the world into ecological disaster, besides the military, technological and space wars among countries.

In the face of trials and struggles against a hostile secularism and an amoral world, we need to hold fast in faith to the Lord who is with us. Can we, by our actions, allow the Lord to take charge and calm the storm?

Just as there is a right to civil disobedience, there is also a right to religious disobedience. How, then, do we handle civil and religious disobedience? Right from the outset, we must state clearly that there are valid grounds for civil and religious obedience. This is particularly so when the legitimate authority is not acting for the common good, or when there is an illegitimate authority imposing their will and power over others. When civil or religious authority is corrupt or serving their self-interests and not for the common good or legalizing immoral laws that go against the conscience of the individual, there is a right to disobey. How, then, can we be sure that that we are walking in the truth?

Just as God raised Jesus from the dead and freed Him from the pangs of death and decay, God too will raise us up if we continue to stand up for the culture of life and most of all, for eternal life which is the basis of our Christian Hope. How can we, then, challenge ourselves to continue to proclaim the truth, even if we are persecuted; to bring life, true love and freedom to our brothers and sisters?

We must identify with the Crucified Christ in His suffering Church and in humanity. This is why we need to practice mercy in our lives from the mercy we have received from Christ. This is the reason for celebrating Divine Mercy so that we can show ourselves to be merciful and forgiving towards those who have offended us or have failed in their lives. Can we do as the Lord told Thomas, to put our finger into the body of the suffering Church, to identify ourselves with the feelings of the people, their anxieties, pains and struggles?

Why were the disciples reluctant to believe in the resurrection of their master when the Lord had been forewarning them and hinting to them about His passion and resurrection? If the disciples who had walked with the Lord for the last three years themselves were incredulous and cynical in believing the good news of the resurrection of our Lord, what can we expect from those who had no personal knowledge of Him? Can we excuse ourselves for not believing since we had no direct encounter with the Risen Lord? How, then, do we surrender in belief to the testimonies of those who had seen the Lord?

Many of us give up easily in witnessing for Christ or serving Him when we are opposed and challenged. But sometimes we give up our mission and ministry because of the mistakes and follies we have committed. Many of us cannot forgive ourselves for the mistakes we have made, and the sins we have committed. How can we release forgiveness onto ourselves, just as God is ever-ready to forgive and heal us?

Our faith in Christ is well founded not just in continuity with the Old Testament but strengthened by His death and resurrection. Faith in Christ is all that is required to find salvation. We must strengthen our faith by reading the Bible so that we can appreciate the beauty of God’s plan of salvation in Christ. Will we, then, make this act of faith?

Like the two disciples of our Lord in today's readings, all of us have experienced disillusionments in life. All of us have been downcast, crippled by life’s events. In such situations, how can we recover our lost hope in life and in God? Firstly, we need to talk about our pains to our friends. The second step involves seeking direction from a wise and holy person, and of course from our Lord Himself. Thirdly, we must go back to the scriptures to remind us of God’s plan for humanity. Fourth, there is no better place to encounter the Lord than in the Eucharist, for there He is present to us sacramentally in the breaking of the bread and in our fellow brothers and sisters. Finally, when our vision and hope are restored, we must go back to our vision and share with everyone, this time with passion, enthusiasm and faith.