FRIDAY OF THE SIXTH WEEK OF EASTER - Gospel (John 16:20-23) THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE
- NHA CHUA CHA
- 6 hours ago
- 4 min read
FIRST READING - Acts 18:9-18
"No one will attack and harm you, for I have many people in this city."
A reading from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles
9 One night in a vision the Lord said to Paul, “Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, 10 for I am with you. No one will attack and harm you, for I have many people in this city.” 11 He settled there for a year and a half and taught the word of God among them.
12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia,[a] the Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him to the tribunal, 13 saying, “This man is inducing people to worship God contrary to the law.”[b] 14 When Paul was about to reply, Gallio spoke to the Jews, “If it were a matter of some crime or malicious fraud, I should with reason hear the complaint of you Jews; 15 but since it is a question of arguments over doctrine and titles and your own law, see to it yourselves. I do not wish to be a judge of such matters.” 16 And he drove them away from the tribunal. 17 They all seized Sosthenes, the synagogue official, and beat him in full view of the tribunal. But none of this was of concern to Gallio.
18 Paul remained for quite some time, and after saying farewell to the brothers he sailed for Syria, together with Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had his hair cut because he had taken a vow.[c]
GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Jn 16:20-23a
"No one will take your joy away from you."
✠From the Gospel according to John
20 Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy. 21 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. 22 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. 23 On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.
FRIDAY OF THE SIXTH WEEK OF EASTER - Gospel (John 16:20-23)
THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE
Dear people of God,
Today's Word of God reveals to humanity that Jesus always loves His disciples. He constantly encourages, comforts, and instructs them in minute detail.
He forewarns His disciples that they will encounter thorns, obstacles, difficulties, and failures on the path ahead.
Jesus is a good God. He is a person of great wisdom and intellect who understands the nature of each person. He gives the example of a mother in labor: before giving birth, she must endure pain, but after the child is born, she is filled with joy and happiness, no longer remembering the pain. He uses this example to show His disciples that when Jesus Christ ascends to heaven, the disciples will be sorrowful and disappointed; yet, behind that sadness and disappointment will be joy and happiness for them.
This joy, which no one can take away, is the gift of eternal life with God the Father.
He explains that the image of the mother giving birth is the result of the love between a husband and wife. The child born brings happiness, a wonderful gift that God bestows upon humanity.
God is very close to human life. He provides this proof to increase the faith, strength, and courage of those whom God loves, so that they may overcome the difficulties and trials of this world. And so that, beyond those difficulties and trials, they may hope to attain the eternal happiness that God has promised: a happiness that no one can take away.
Therefore, He invites all those whom God loves to look toward the future and hope for the eternal life to come, to remain steadfast and faithful to God. When encountering difficulties and trials, do not give up, do not retreat.
For to attain a life of eternal, perfect happiness, humanity must surely pass through difficulties and trials.
Just like the image of Jesus Christ: to attain joy, happiness, and victory over Satan, He also had to undergo a purification through His own death, through the sacrifice of His life, so that, beyond that death, He was glorified by God the Father and saved souls from the captivity of Satan.
Jesus loves His disciples; He instructs them so that by being faithful, listening to, and following His Word, they will overcome the difficulties and trials brought about by the world.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
Comments