"Your sorrow will turn into joy"

where Jesus assures his disciples,

that their deep grief over his death will be transformed into,

not just replaced by, lasting joy upon his resurrection. 

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Acts 18:9-18

One night,

In a vision, the Lord said to Paul, "Do not be afraid, but continue speaking and do not be silent,

for many people in this city are mine. I am with you, so no one will harm you."

So Paul stayed a year and a half in that place, teaching the word of God among them.

When Gallio was governor of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack

on Paul and brought him before the court.  And they accused him,

"This man tries to persuade us to worship God in ways that are against the law.

 

"Paul was about to speak in his own defense when Gallio said to the Jews, "

If it were a matter of a misdeed or vicious crime,

I would have to consider your complaint. But since this is a quarrel about teachings

and divine names that are proper to your own law, see to it yourselves:

I refuse to judge such matters." And he sent them out of the court.

 

Then the people seized Sosthenes, a leading man of the synagogue,

and beat him in front of the tribunal; but Gallio paid no attention to it.

Paul stayed on with the disciples in Corinth for many days;

he then left them and sailed off with Priscilla and Aquila for Syria.

And as he was no longer under a vow he had taken,

he shaved his head before sailing from Cenchreae.

 

Ps 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

God is king of all the earth.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

John 16:20-23

Truly, say to you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices.

You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy.

A woman in childbirth is in distress because her time is at hand.

But after the child is born, she no longer remembers her suffering

because of her great joy: a human being is born into the world.

 

You feel sorrowful now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice;

and no one will take your joy from you. When that day comes you will not ask me anything.

Truly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

Your sorrow will turn to joy.

Pain, sadness, and suffering are common experiences for all of us.

They are unpleasant and unwelcome emotions that can lead us to despair.

Even Jesus affirms this in today's gospel:

"You will weep and mourn... you will be sorrowful..."

Indeed, it is a melancholy reality in our lives. However,

our faith in the Lord assures us that the story does not end there.

Jesus reminds us today of the hope he offers: "But your sorrow will turn to joy."

 

Surely, we all anticipate that joy will eventually enter our lives.

Thus, we cling to this promise of Jesus today.

We hold on to this hope because it sustains us

through inevitable pain, sadness, and suffering.

We trust in this promise because God always fulfills His word.