"Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn,
while the world rejoices; you will grieve,
but your grief will become joy.”
(John 16:20)
In Jesus, our sorrow would turn into joy. Sorrow is often temporary, and joy comes eventually. Joy always comes after periods of hardship. We should focus on the eternal spiritual truths rather than temporary worldly circumstances. As we navigate through life's challenges, we should always keep our faith in God, and maintain a spiritual perspective. Let us trust in God’s plan for our lives even when we don’t fully understand it.
16 Jesus said to his disciples: “A little while and you will no longer see me,and again a little while later and you will see me.” 17 So some of his disciples said to one another, “What does this mean that he is saying to us, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” 18 So they said, “What is this ‘little while’ of which he speaks? We do not know what he means.” 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Are you discussing with one another what I said, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? 20 Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.” (John 16:16-20)
In Jesus, our sorrow finds its end, joy emerges, like a faithful friend. Temporary is the sorrow, fleeting is the pain, joy comes eventually, like sunshine after rain. After periods of hardship, joy takes flight, a beacon in the darkness, a shining light. Worldly circumstances, ever so capricious, eternal spiritual truths, infinitely precious. Navigating life's challenges, a daunting quest, with faith in God, we are blessed. A spiritual perspective, our guiding star, leading us forward, no matter how far. God's plan for our lives, a mystery profound, in His wisdom, our lives are bound. Even when understanding seems out of sight, in God we trust, in His infinite might.
Dear Lord Jesus, in You, we find our strength and our solace. We acknowledge that our sorrow, though it may seem overwhelming at times, is but a temporary state. For in You, our sorrow is transformed into joy, a joy that springs eternal. We understand that joy comes after periods of hardship, just as the dawn follows the darkest hour of the night. We hold onto this promise, finding comfort and hope in Your words. As we navigate through the challenges of life, we strive to focus on the eternal spiritual truths rather than the temporary worldly circumstances. We seek to maintain a spiritual perspective, viewing our trials not as insurmountable obstacles, but as steppingstones leading us closer to You. We place our faith in You, Lord, trusting in Your divine plan for our lives, even when we don’t fully understand it. We believe that Your plans are for our good, to give us a future and a hope. So, we pray, Lord Jesus, guide us, lead us, and help us to trust in You more. Turn our sorrow into joy, our trials into triumphs, and our fear into faith. In Your precious name, we pray. Amen.
There should always be a balance in the different aspects of our lives. Our work and ministry can coexist by striking a balance between our professional lives and our spiritual or personal passions. When our efforts are not yielding results, it may be beneficial to change our approach. We also need companion and support since we cannot do all things on our own at the same time. Opposition and revilement should not deter from pursuing our mission but instead continue to move on and press on. Perseverance, resilience and determination in the face of challenges is the key to overcome and succeed in achieving God's will and purpose for our lives. It is by faith that we are transformed.
1 Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. He went to visit them 3 and, because he practiced the same trade, stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. 4 Every sabbath, he entered into discussions in the synagogue, attempting to convince both Jews and Greeks. 5 When Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began to occupy himself totally with preaching the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. 6 When they opposed him and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your heads! I am clear of responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 So he left there and went to a house belonging to a man named Titus Justus, a worshiper of God; his house was next to a synagogue. 8 Crispus, the synagogue official, came to believe in the Lord along with his entire household, and many of the Corinthians who heard believed and were baptized. (Acts 18:1-8)
In the dance of life, balance is the key, between work and faith, a harmony we see. Professional pursuits and passions of the soul, together they can make us whole. When efforts seem in vain, and results are few, change your approach, try something new. Remember, we're not alone in this grand play, we need companions to light the way. Opposition may come, revilement may rise, but let not deterrence cloud our skies. Move on, press on, let your spirit soar, for God's mission for us, forever in store. Perseverance, resilience, determination strong, in the face of challenges, where we belong. Overcoming, succeeding, achieving His will, in the purpose of life, our role to fill. By faith, we are transformed, made anew, in the mirror of the soul, a reflection true. So dance the dance, live the song, in God's grand plan, we belong.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You today acknowledging the need for balance in our lives. We understand that our work and ministry can coexist, and we pray for Your guidance to strike a balance between our professional lives and our spiritual or personal passions. When our efforts seem not to yield results, grant us the wisdom to change our approach. Remind us, Lord, that we are not alone. We need companions and support, for we cannot do all things on our own. In the face of opposition and revilement, give us the strength not to be deterred from pursuing our mission. Instead, help us to continue to move on and press on. We pray for perseverance, resilience, and determination in the face of challenges. We believe, Lord, that these are the keys to overcome and succeed in achieving Your will and purpose for our lives. We know that it is by faith that we are transformed. May we always remember these lessons and apply them in our daily lives. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
God’s love for us is unchanging and His faithfulness towards us endures forever. As the Lord is just and fair, we should also strive for righteousness in our own lives. Our salvation comes through faith and it is only but fitting for us to acknowledge and accepting this gift with full gratitude, praising and worshiping God for His deeds in our lives. Let us live in accordance with God’s will and share His love and salvation with others.
1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; his right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. 2 The Lord has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. 3 He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. 4 Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. (Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4)
In the realm of the Divine, where love's river flows, God's love for us, unchanging, forever grows. His faithfulness endures, a beacon in the night, guiding us, leading us, with His eternal light. Just and fair is the Lord, in all His ways, a model for us, through all our days. Strive for righteousness, in actions and in thought, in the lessons of life, that His love has taught. Salvation comes through faith, a gift so grand, a testament of His love, from His mighty hand. Acknowledge this gift, with gratitude and praise, worship Him, honor Him, in countless ways. Live in accordance with His will, His divine plan, share His love and salvation, to every woman and man. For in sharing His message, in living His word, the echoes of His love, throughout the world are heard.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You today with hearts full of gratitude. We acknowledge Your unchanging love for us and Your enduring faithfulness. As You are just and fair in all Your ways, we too strive for righteousness in our lives. We recognize that our salvation comes through faith. It is a gift from You, a testament of Your boundless love. We accept this gift with full gratitude, praising and worshiping You for all the deeds in our lives. Guide us, Lord, to live in accordance with Your will. Help us to reflect Your love in our actions and to share the message of Your salvation with others. May we serve as Your instruments, spreading Your love and light in the world. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.
Pericope:
Gospel
III: The Book of Glory
JESUS DEPARTURE; COMING OF THE ADVOCATE
John 16:4-33
First Reading
V: The Mission of Paul to the Ends of the Earth
PAUL IN CORINTH
Acts 18:1-11
Responsorial Psalm
Fourth Book of Psalms 90-106
THE COMING OF GOD
Psalm 98:1-9
Reflection Source:
Copilot
