Gospel JN 16:20-23
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn,
while the world rejoices;
you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.
When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived;
but when she has given birth to a child,
she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy
that a child has been born into the world.
So you also are now in anguish.
But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice,
and no one will take your joy away from you.
On that day you will not question me about anything.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.”
Reflection:
Here, once again, Jesus shows his mastery at using the experiences of life to explain the ways of God.
Jesus said to his disciples, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices;”
Through this gospel, Jesus is trying to prepare his disciples for the new age ahead. Although they will face the horror of his crucifixion, and are certain to weep and mourn at his death, those who believe in his message of God’s love will ultimately rejoice.
“When a woman is in labor…”
In an effort to give his followers the courage to face what is ahead, Jesus uses the analogy of a woman in labor, something most have witnessed. Christ’s time on earth is likened to the labor pains of a woman. The agony of childbirth is always followed by the joy of new life. He is, in effect, saying with my resurrection the world will have a new relationship with God. It will be a personal and intimate, child-parent relationship, based on love and forgiveness.
“But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice,
and no one will take your joy away from you.”
Jesus is telling his disciples, the day is coming when my resurrection will vindicate all of you. Your faith in me will be justified before all men and your joy will overflow. No one will be able to rob you of that joy.
Today’s gospel is a message of hope. It’s as if the Lord is saying, “Better days are coming, boys hang in there. When the good days get here, you’ll forget about all the difficulties.”
As his modern day disciples, we too are called to be harbingers of hope. Through our acts of kindness, compassion, generosity, and service, we are evidence to those who suffer that God has not forgotten them.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1