Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 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.”
Your sadness will be joy
1) Sadness: It’s the manifestation of your limits. It’s affliction, disappointment, and disillusionment in the face of a situation that you cannot handle or control. You can also feel sadness when you have the impression that God does not listen to you or when things don’t go as you thought they would. Sadness leads to anger and rage, as well as the desire to give it all up. St. Ignatius of Loyola says, “sadness is an ally of the enemy”. We cannot control the feeling of sadness, but we can fight to restrict it and put an end to it, in order to move forward and overcome it. Don’t let sadness take over your life.
2) Joy. This is more than just a smile. It’s the joy that Jesus gives you. It means having a new spirit, having a hope that moves you and motivates you to keep on walking in life despite the pains and worries that may come your way. Joy requires taking steps and learning to let go. You must be optimistic and move forward. Never stop praying because it will help you reach the peace and joy that only God can give you. Prayer puts you in the presence of God and leads you the fullness of Joy.
3) Time. The transition from sadness to joy can be achieved with prayer and the sacraments, but time is also a key factor. Time heals and relieves; it allows you to grow strong again. That’s why you must learn not to despair and to be patient. Time leads you to the truth and God brings justice.
God bless you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Remember something good is on the way!
