The Promise of Joy at Meeting Again
My dear son,
I want you to treasure the joy of the resurrection. Jesus promised the disciples, who would weep at his departure, the joy of seeing him again. He gave them hope that death would not speak the final word over love.
Jesus spoke of a joy no one could take away, like the joy of holding new life after childbirth. Live with that love in view. The feeling you have today does not determine how the whole story ends.
If this is a joyful evening, give thanks freely. If sorrow is present, you do not have to force a smile. I receive your heart as it is, and want to guide you into hope in Jesus, who rose again.
With all my love,
Your Father
John 16:19–22
WEB19Therefore Jesus perceived that they wanted to ask him, and he said to them, “Do you inquire among yourselves concerning this, that I said, ‘A little while, and you won’t see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’?
20Most certainly I tell you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.
21A woman, when she gives birth, has sorrow because her time has come. But when she has delivered the child, she doesn’t remember the anguish any more, for the joy that a human being is born into the world.
22Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
A short reflection
Jesus compares the disciples' coming grief to labor followed by the joy of birth, promising that they will see him again and receive a joy no one can take away.
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