Word to the Wise
Friday, May 11, 2018 - 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. So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you." [John]
I'm not so sure the woman forgets the pain, if my acquaintance with Moms is any indication, but still the image is a powerful one because that pain is a powerful one. The disciples will undergo pain and confusion before they finally realize the full significance of Jesus' suffering, death and resurrection. Any reading of the four resurrection accounts shows their shock and disbelief and fear until the Holy Spirit turns things around.
The SPIRITUAL EXERCISES of St. Ignatius Loyola challenge the participant to place him or herself in the setting of the gospel. It may be difficult to imagine ourselves at that table as the Gospel According to John describes it, with Jesus going on in a rambling way. The problem is not with Jesus, however, it is with the evangelist who put all the reflections together - yes, with the help of the Holy Spirit - and left us with a spiritual challenge to consider. Right now, Jesus warns them of the pain and joy ahead. We can be grateful that they responded eventually to all that was unloaded on them, and perhaps consider how we can continue the mission ourselves. AMEN
REMINDER - I am traveling west of the Central Time zone now and this reflection will seem to arrive later.