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The Great Commission: Born from Resurrection Joy
“For the Souls in Purgatory – Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord”
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. 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.
Grace Prayed For
The grace to trust in the transformative power of the resurrection in our own lives and to courageously share this joy with others, embracing the mission to make disciples even amidst our own struggles.
Reflection
Think for a moment about those initial days after Jesus’ crucifixion. The disciples were overcome with sorrow, their hopes seemingly dashed. Imagine their weeping, their mourning, as the world around them, perhaps even those who opposed Jesus, felt a sense of victory. But Jesus assures them, and us, that this grief is not the end. It is akin to the pain of childbirth, an intense suffering that gives way to an overwhelming joy – the joy of new life brought into the world. This joy, born from the resurrection, is profound and lasting; it is a joy that no one can take away.
Reflect on the moments in your own life when you have faced deep sorrow, times when the weight of the world felt heavy upon you. Can you see, even in retrospect, how those times might have paved the way for a deeper, more resilient joy? The resurrection of Jesus is not just a historical event; it is a promise for our lives. Just as the disciples’ sorrow turned to unspeakable joy upon seeing the risen Lord, our own pain and struggles can be transformed by the power of the resurrection. This transformative power calls us to go out and share this good news, to bring this joy to others, just as a mother longs to share the news of her newborn child. We are commissioned to be bearers of this resurrected life, inviting others to experience the same transformative joy that comes from encountering the living Christ.
Growing in Intimacy/Union with Jesus
This passage offers a deeply personal and comforting message from Jesus. He acknowledges the pain and anguish his followers will experience, drawing a poignant analogy to the universal experience of childbirth. By promising that this grief will turn into an unshakeable joy upon seeing him again, Jesus reveals his profound understanding of human emotions and his unwavering commitment to his disciples’ well-being. This promise, fulfilled in the resurrection and still relevant today, fosters a sense of trust and intimacy with Jesus, knowing that he walks with us through our darkest moments and leads us towards a joy that transcends earthly suffering. His direct invitation to ask the Father for anything in his name further deepens this intimacy, presenting him as the ultimate intercessor and a constant source of support.
When Time Allows Reflect on the Posts in Library and Musings
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post