Slideshow image

The Disciples ’Grief Will Turn to Joy

16 Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”

17 At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me, ’and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” 18 They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”

19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? 20 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born, she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. 23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

 

Jesus tried to prepare his disciples for his death and resurrection. He told them several times and in different ways, but his message was not understood by the disciples.

 

In this reading, Jesus tells of the grief that they will endure and then of the joy that will come. We remember from the Easter narrative that the disciples hid after Jesus was crucified. When Mary came to tell them that Jesus was no longer in the tomb, she found them behind the locked door. The disciples finally believed when Jesus came to them. If they had listened and understood they would have known that the joy of the resurrection was coming.

 

Dear Lord, help us to listen to your words and understand the joy promised by your Grace. Give us hope through times of struggle and patience to endure hardship. Amen

 

Barry Dougherty

(barryd72@aol.com

 

Prayer Concern - for those struggling in times of war, poverty and other challenges.

 

Additional readings - Deuteronomy 31:1-13 and Psalm 93