Word to the Wise
Friday, May 30, 2014 - 6th Week of Easter - Fri
[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.
FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2014 FRIDAY IN THE SIXTH WEEK IN EASTER
[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.
At this moment in the exhibit, I would want to call to any of my friends who are Moms to ask about this image! in this day of almost instant imaging, I often receive joyful e-mails telling me of the birth of a baby, complete with photo of Mom and baby soon after birth! Since a wonderful Mom I know, who is rather petite, just gave birth to a nine pound [!] son I could only turn to her and say, "Well? What do you say?"
Jesus chooses a profound human experience to describe what the disciples would experience with his death and resurrection. Going from great pain to great joy can be exhausting. Any parent whose child seems to be lost somewhere knows that experience when the child is found safe and sound. [cf. Luke 2:41-52] Jesus introduces this image with: "Amen, amen, I say to you...." which calls our attention to the importance of the image.
There is a challenge here for us who live so long after these events! We know the story well but may find it hard to experience what the disciples were experiencing during the Farewell Discourse. Maybe we should ask the Moms we know! AMEN