Acts 3:13-19, 1 John. 2:1-5, Luke 24:35-48

Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself.”

 Thomas Merton once articulated, ‘Faith is not the suppression of doubt. It is the overcoming of doubt, and we overcome doubt by going through it.’ Even those who encountered Christ in the flesh, like the disciples in Luke's Gospel, grappled with doubt despite witnessing his resurrection. Just as Christ invited Thomas to touch his wounds, he extended the same invitation to these disciples, patiently guiding them to understanding.

As Christians, we continuously navigate the terrain of faith, wrestling with doubts and moral truths. While some may have a stronger faith than others, the fact remains that many of us are still battling, still struggling, trying to overcome our doubts, and worries and find the peace of being reconciled with God and with one another.

Why worry, why overthink? It is I, do not be terrified says the Lord. Peter’s message in the first reading echoes the theme of repentance and salvation for all, emphasizing the transformative power of forgiveness. Recognizing our errors and ignorance opens the path to redemption and renewal. Nobody is left out of Easter joy. Having acted in ignorance in different ways, we are called to allow ourselves to be forgiven by God.

As it is said, sometimes, “it is in the darkest moment of our life that we see or experience the effect of light.” The light of Christ’s resurrection is on to offer us peace, forgiveness, and love. The 2nd Reading and Easter Preface III state this clearly: ‘If anyone does sin, we have our advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the only righteous one. He is expiation for our sins, and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world.’

Our paramount mission following Peter’s resurrection speech is to win and reclaim our brothers and sisters through authentic love by offering them the peace and forgiveness we have received from the Lord. May the radiance of God’s love permeate our beings, bringing joy and peace to all we encounter, to the glory of God. Amen.

Fr. Ikenna