Joy
I was never a great athlete but when I was younger I would run and cross train by going to aerobic exercise classes. Beginners at anything will find it hard at first. There was not a great deal of reward for the first few weeks. Progress is slow and the question is why am I doing this? There were aching joints and sore feet and rashes between certain body parts.
Then their is the ridicule that runner who is just starting out,receives from strangers because the new runners are slow. Still some drop out and others go forward and are rewarded with success. However when you reach a certain level of proficiency, you movements are fluid. You not only glide with little effort but endorphins kick in and you find that you need to run. People who run continue because they find joy in running or exercising. The side benefits are sleeping like babies and going on to perform other things with joy and success in their lives.
In our first reading Saint Paul was not universally loved in Corinth but acting as the Lord told him, he kept on preaching. He did not have immediate success. However, the Lord said to him in a dream. Be not afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you. Saint Paul not only inspired the city of Corinth but inspired a husband and wife, Priscilla and Aquila, to join him on his missionary journey to other cities. Saint Paul inspired hope.
I think I can connect both readings for today.
Turning to our Gospel, Jesus says Amen, Amen twice in our readings from John. In the first, Jesus says, Amen, Amen, I say to you you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy. The second Amen Jesus says Amen, Amen I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.
The statement that connects these two Amens is what makes both scriptures for today relevant for us today. Jesus says, 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.
Yes for the Church here on earth in the year 2020 we are in anguish.Churches will be starting to reopen slowly over the next few weeks and in the meantime we are rejoicing at home. Just think of the joy when it is safe to go back to communal services. Jesus says I will see you again and so shall it be.
Why does Jesus say but your grief will become joy right before He says whatever you ask in My name.
What the readings say to me is that even in grief or pain from childbirth, exercise or abstaining from Sunday Mass in the end we will have the joy of knowing that there is hope throughout it all. Hope gives you joy.
We have all been praying for an end to this health crisis and praying to the Father in Jesus Most Holy Name.
Our journey to a more normal life will have set backs.
We may have to go through this all again. Through it all, however, there is joy in knowing that the Father is listening…. and we will have joy. Be not afraid………. for I am with you says the Lord.
God Bless you Always
Bob Burford
