WORD ALIVE
In today’s gospel, we read about the third appearance of the Risen Lord to two disciples at Emmaus. The manifestations served to confirm and bolster the sagging faith of his close followers. They had doubts and misgivings if he was really the expected Messiah. “Did he really rise from the dead?” The appearances were important because they served as the bedrock of the faith of the early Christians.
The disciples' attitude of doubts and misgivings represents our own. For us Christians, believing in the Risen Lord is not very much a problem. But in practical life, there are instances when we doubt or even lose our faith in a loving God.
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For instance, a friend-couple of mine passed away at the height of the Covid pandemic. The husband got infected with the corona virus and passed away. The wife who was taking care of him was exposed to the deadly virus and died a few days after. It was devastating for the whole family. One of the children remarked: “We may never understand why God had taken them one after the other.”
Some even muttered, “If he’s a loving God, why does he allow such tragedy to happen to good people? Why does he not do that to the godless, the evil and corrupt individuals?”
The mind of God is difficult to fathom. “My thoughts are not your thoughts,” Jesus said. This is where our faith is severely tested; we just have to hold on even if we can’t understand the will of God.
The experience applies also to married couples. There are crisis and trials due to infidelity, misunderstanding, quarrels, and so on. But as a married man, who’s in the renewal movement, advised: “When bitter quarrels flare up, don’t make a fast decision to break up. That would cause a traumatic experience not only for the couples themselves but most especially the children. When things cool down, talk about the problem or dialogue or seek the advice of a priest or a well-meaning friend.”
Remember that marriage is not a bed of roses. Sometimes there are more thorns than roses. That’s why as somebody quipped: In marriage there are three rings, namely: engagement ring, wedding ring, suffering!
Bill Gates, founder of the giant Microsoft Company, has this message to say for married couples: “How important our family and home life is and how much we have neglected this. The pandemic is forcing us back into our houses so we can rebuild them into our home and to strengthen our family unit.”
In short, parents should have more time to bond with one another.
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Ask yourself: What’s my attitude when trying moments like crisis in relationships or a health crisis hit me? Can I go beyond the harsh reality and still discern a good and loving God? Or, do I feel bitter and resentful? Instead of complaining or blaming others, should I rather move on and do something to remedy my problem?
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Life is short. Let’s not fill it with hatred, resentment, and unforgiveness which hinder us from doing our God-given goal of loving Him and our fellowmen.
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Stages in marriage. In the first year of marriage, the man speaks and the woman listens. In the second year, the woman speaks and the man listens. And in the third, both of them speak and the neighbors listen.
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Many homes nowadays have three shifts. Father is on the night shift; mother is on the day shift, and the children shift for themselves.
Lesson: Parents should have time for one another especially with the kids.
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