Gospel
John 16:16-20
Jesus said to his disciples:
"A little while and you will no longer see me,
and again a little while later and you will see me."
So some of his disciples said to one another,
"What does this mean that he is saying to us,
'A little while and you will not see me,
and again a little while and you will see me,'
and 'Because I am going to the Father'?"
So they said, "What is this 'little while' of which he speaks?
We do not know what he means."
Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them,
"Are you discussing with one another what I said,
'A little while and you will not see me,
and again a little while and you will see me'?
Amen, amen, I say to you,
you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices;
you will grieve, but your grief will become joy."
Reflection
As I reflected on this Gospel reading, the last two sentences are what really resonated with me. I could see the love Jesus has for them as he gives a warning and consoles the disciples with His words even before he is actually gone. He acknowledges the disciples' confusion and grief at the thought of his leaving, but he also promises that their sorrow will turn into joy.
As I thought about this reading, the story of St. Augustine and St. Monica came to mind. Saint Monica experienced deep sorrow and anguish over her son's wayward lifestyle and rejection of Christianity. She fervently prayed for his conversion, shedding many tears and enduring years of uncertainty and heartache.
However, Monica's grief was eventually transformed into joy when Augustine underwent a profound conversion, becoming one of the most influential theologians and saints in Christian history. Monica's faith, perseverance in prayer, and trust in God's providence ultimately led to the fulfillment of Jesus' promise of joy amidst sorrow.
In our own lives, we may encounter moments of profound grief and sorrow, loss of loved ones or unexpected trials. Yet, like the disciples, we are called to cling to the promise of Christ, that our grief will ultimately be transformed into joy. This joy is not merely a fleeting emotion but a deep-seated confidence in the redemptive power of God's love, which sustains us through every trial and tribulation.
