Jesus’ resurrection lets us know that pain and suffering never have the final word. Hunter D’Armond, SJ, reflects on Jesus’ appearance to the disciples in this week’s One-Minute Homily. Based on the readings for Sunday, April 18, 2021.
Why does God allow us to suffer?
Hi, I’m Hunter D’Armond and this is my one-minute reflection.
Cancer. Earthquakes. Pandemics. I don’t know why God permits such things.
I’m sure the disciples had similar questions after their own friend and savior was crucified. But in today’s gospel Jesus appears to them with the simple message: “Peace be with you.”
Startled and filled with fear from this greeting, Jesus goes a step further to comfort them and shows them the scars on his hands and feet as proof that it is really him. And he also eats with them to show that he is not a ghost, but it is truly him in flesh and blood. He rose body and soul.
So while I don’t know why God allows us to suffer, I do know that in his passion and crucifixion Jesus suffers with us. And in his resurrection, he shows us that the last word is not pain, death, and suffering, but “peace.”
