Grief Turning into Joy

Today's Reflections

 

Grief Turning into Joy 

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Jn 16:16-20

[Jesus said to his disciples,] ¹⁶“A little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while later and you will see me.” ¹⁷So 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’?” ¹⁸So they said, “What is this ‘little while’ [of which he speaks]? We do not know what he means.” ¹⁹Jesus 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’? ²⁰Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.”

Reflection:
 

A little while and you will no longer see me. Jesus tells his disciples about his imminent death and the coming resurrection. His death will bring sorrow; they will weep and mourn for him. But his resurrection will make them rejoice. It will give them hope, revive their spirit, and strengthen their faith. When the risen Jesus will appear to his disciples, they will experience tremendous happiness.

The presence of Jesus is always a source of joy for us. When we are aware of the presence of Jesus, we experience consolation, receive his strength, and feel his peace.

Jesus’ use of “Amen, amen” means his message is important. His words are truth and trustworthy. When we say “amen,” we trust and accept that Jesus is our joy and our safety. We express our complete submission to, and unconditional affirmation of, Jesus and his words. We are certain that Jesus is our risen Lord.

Let your Amen this season of Easterspeak of your faith in the risen Jesusand your commitment to him.