While the Church welcomes all and embraces the diverse backgrounds of all people, we are reminded today that inclusivity cannot be at the cost of the Truth of the Gospel. Indeed, true unity is not found in the embracing of our sentimentalities or when we seek to alter Church doctrine to make room for what our personal inclinations are. True unity is found in Christ and His Word.

Christ, who journeyed with the disciples on the Road to Emmaus, shows us what it means to truly be a synodal Church. While we are to share our joys, sorrows and aspirations with one another, we as Church, also have an important responsibility of speaking the Truth with others so that His Word may enlighten the hearts and minds of all of humanity, enabling them to discover the fullness of life – that is, a life lived in union with Christ.

Reflection question: How can I uphold the Truth of the Gospel while fostering unity within the diverse body of Christ?

Contrary to the world’s definition of peace that is a life void of suffering, the Lord offers us peace that endures even in the difficulties that we encounter in life. Just as Christ Himself finds His peace through being in union with the Father, we too are invited to draw close to the Father who desires to grant us the peace that only He can give, as we weather through the storms in our life.

Let us therefore not turn to fleeting things that promises us temporal comfort, but turn to the Father, and support one another in times of difficulties through our prayers, testimonies, and words of encouragement.

Reflection Question: How can I cultivate the peace that Christ offers, which is rooted in fulfilling the Father's will?

Do we fulfil God’s plan like Jesus, or follow our own like Judas?

Jesus’ unwavering desire to fulfil the divine plan of His Father was not out of compulsion, but from a place of freedom, love, and deep surrender. We are invited to reflect on our own lives: are we genuinely seeking God’s will, or are we caught up in our own ambitions and desires?

Like Jesus, each of us is a part of a greater divine story. Though we may only recognise God's hand in hindsight, the daily call remains—to discern, to trust, and to walk faithfully even when the road ahead is unclear.

In contrast to Judas, who pursued his own agenda, we are encouraged to choose obedience, trusting that God can weave even our missteps into His greater plan—if our hearts remain open.

Reflection question: How can I grow in daily discernment and surrender to do God’s will in my life, even when the path is uncertain?

As we journey through Holy Week, we witness Jesus’ unwavering fidelity to the Father’s will—embracing the path of suffering and surrender. We are invited to reflect on our own allegiance to Christ.

Like Judas and Peter, we too betray Christ—either by demanding that God meet our expectations or by placing undue confidence in our own faithfulness. But God knows our weakness, He only asks for hearts that are truly repentant.

Even in our moments of betrayal, the Lord continues to reach out—offering His mercy and calling us to return to Him once more.

Reflection question: When I fail the Lord, do I give in to despair or do I turn back to Him with a contrite heart, trusting in His mercy?

Believing that Jesus is just a good person, teacher and prophet who calls us to live a life of charity and truth is not enough and compromises our faith. What sets us apart from other religions is our proclamation that Jesus is the Son of God. Scripture warns us that the world is not against us doing good works, but will persecute us when we proclaim Jesus’ divine identity. We are to be like prophet Jeremiah and Jesus, who stood firm in the face of persecution as they were confident in their identity and the mission God had called them to do.

Scripture challenges us to reflect deeply on how much courage and confidence do we have to stand up for Jesus. Do we compromise our Christian identity?

Reflection question: What prevents me from believing and proclaiming that Jesus is the Son of God?

As we approach Holy Week, we are called to ponder on who Jesus is to us and what our relationship with Him is like. Whatever our answer is determines our faith and trust in Him. Do we truly believe He is the Son of God? Do we truly believe in His passion, death and resurrection? For if we do not, we will not fully understand nor appreciate the depths of God’s love and mercy for us which is displayed most prominently on the Cross.

Let us continue to contemplate on the identity of Jesus and surrender ourselves to the Lord, asking for His grace to help us better understand Him and to deepen our relationship with Him. May it lead us to be obedient to His Word and to develop a greater conviction in Him.

Reflection question: Who is Jesus to me and what is my current relationship with Him like?

Many of us have an inaccurate understanding of what freedom truly is. Rather than power, dominion, or the liberty to do as we desire, true freedom can only be attained when we recognise Christ’s divinity and identity as the Son of God.

We are called to deepen our contemplation of Christ so that we may come to recognise His identity as the Son of the Father, particularly during this season of Lent. Only then will we be able to be free, even from the fear of suffering and death.

Reflection question: What is holding me back from experiencing true freedom that can only be found in Christ?

Many of us can probably relate to the Israelites in today’s first reading – lamenting in the wilderness, as we navigate trials of our own in our lives. However, we must be mindful not to allow these frustrations to grow into a sense of resentment and ingratitude – especially towards God.

We are invited today to shed our old perspectives of our sufferings and to adopt new lenses. Our sufferings are not inconveniences or God’s negligence in our lives. Instead, they grant us the opportunity to reorientate our lives and to experience His goodness in a new way. Let us not lose sight of His goodness in the tough times, nor the tough times in our seasons of consolations. Each of these have an important place in our journey towards holiness that we are constantly invited to lean into, so as to experience Him in a new way.

Reflection question: What is a new perspective of a trial in my life, that the Lord is inviting me to adopt?