FRIDAY OF THE SIXTH WEEK OF EASTER - Jn 16:20-23 - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you” (Jn 16:22)

READING OF THE DAY

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

Acts 18:9-18

One night while Paul was in Corinth, the Lord said to him in a vision,

"Do not be afraid.

Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you.

No one will attack and harm you,

for I have many people in this city."

He settled there for a year and a half

and taught the word of God among them.

But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia,

the Jews rose up together against Paul

and brought him to the tribunal, saying,

"This man is inducing people to worship God contrary to the law."

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;

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."

And he drove them away from the tribunal.

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.

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 shaved his head because he had taken a vow.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to John

Jn 16:20-23

Jesus said to his disciples:

"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.

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 - Jn 16:20-23

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

Jesus always loves His disciples. He always encouraged, comforted, and taught them every step of the way. He told His disciples that they would encounter thorns, obstacles, difficulties, and failures on the road ahead.

Jesus is a benevolent God. He is a very knowledgeable and intellectual person, understanding the nature of a human being. He gave the example of a mother in labor: that before giving birth she had to suffer; But after giving birth, she was filled with joy and happiness, no longer remembering the pain. He used that example to demonstrate to His disciples: that when Jesus Christ returns to heaven, the disciples will be grieved and disappointed; But behind sadness and disappointment will be joy and happiness for them. This joy no one will take away, that is: having an eternal happy life with God the Father.

He said: The image of a mother giving birth is the result of the love of the couple. The birth of a child will bring happiness. It is a wonderful gift that God gives to humans. God is very close to human life. He proves to add faith, strength, and courage to those loved by God, so we can overcome the difficulties and challenges of the world. We must leave behind those difficulties and challenges and hope for eternal happiness as God promised: that happiness no one can take from us.

Therefore, He calls all those who are loved by God to look forward to eternity, and to be faithful and loyal to Him. When you encounter difficulties and challenges, do not give up, do not step back. Because to have a happy and fulfilled life forever, people will certainly have to go through difficulties and challenges. As the image of Jesus Christ: in order to have joy, happiness, and victory over Satan, He must also undergo purification by death, by sacrificing His life. Then after that death, He was honored by God the Father and saved souls from the imprisonment of Satan.

Jesus loves His disciples. He teaches so that His disciples will be faithful, listen, and follow His Word to overcome the difficulties and challenges the world brings.

Thanks be to God. Amen.