Word to the Wise
Friday, May 6, 2016 - 6th Week of Easter - Fri
[Acts 18:9-18 and John 16:20-23]FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2016 FRIDAY IN THE SIXTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME [Acts 18:9-18 and John 16:20-23] "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." [John] I do not believe that Jesus' childbirth image would meet with much agreement from my friends who are Moms. The memory of the pain can stay! However, I do get pics of Mom with newborn in the delivery room and there is joy to be seen when delivery is done. Jesus is trying to prepare the disciples for what is about to happen to him and to them. His death will bring grief and his resurrection will bring joy. It will be a real roller coaster of experience. It is the hope of resurrection that can give one strength to endure very difficult trials. These may be in the form of illness, accidents, economic hardship, family problems, broken relationships, etc.. The Lord is with us in all of those and is not a passive and uninvolved observer. He is at the beginning of the dark tunnel, in the tunnel and standing at the end of the tunnel. The first disciples learned this, and we can, too. AMEN