“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)
Sorrow and suffering are not the end, but rather a pathway to joy. After our difficult days, we will experience new life. Just as a woman’s pain in childbirth is turned into joy when her child is born, so too our trials and tribulations can lead to spiritual growth and joy. Jesus is with us in our suffering and He can bring good out of even the most difficult circumstances. Everything is in God’s Hands, let us offer our suffering up to God and always trust in God’s plan, even when we can’t see the end result.
20 Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy. 21 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. 22 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. 23 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.” (John 16:20-23)
In sorrow and suffering, find not the end, but a pathway to joy, on which we ascend. After days of difficulty, in darkness we strive, new life awaits, in His love, we thrive. Just as a woman in labor feels the pain, her joy overflows when birth is her gain. So too our trials, tribulations so vast, lead to spiritual growth, shadows are cast. Jesus, our Savior, in suffering, He's near, brings good from the bad, casts out our fear. In the most difficult times, in circumstances so grand, He's with us, guiding us, with His loving hand. Everything is in God's Hands, so divine, offer up our suffering, in His glory, we'll shine. Trust in God's plan, though the end we can't sight, in His eternal love, we find our light.
Dear Lord Jesus, in the midst of sorrow and suffering, we are reminded that these are not the end, but rather a pathway to joy. After our difficult days, we know that we will experience new life in You. Just as a woman's pain in childbirth is turned into joy when her child is born, so too our trials and tribulations can lead to spiritual growth and joy. We are comforted knowing that You are with us in our suffering and that You can bring good out of even the most difficult circumstances. We understand that everything is in Your Hands. We offer up our suffering to You, trusting in Your divine plan, even when we can't see the end result. Help us to always trust in Your plan, to lean on Your understanding, and to seek Your wisdom in all things. May we always find comfort in Your presence, strength in Your love, and peace in Your promises. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.
God does not exempt us from trials, but rather sustains us through them. With faith, we can overcome. We should always trust in God’s faithfulness, especially in times of difficulty focusing with a positive outlook and thinking in maintaining peace, and dwelling on things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellent, and worthy of praise. All of us are connected as one body in Christ. Mutual support all intertwine to unfold God’s work. Let us know, understand, and effectively communicate the teachings of the Gospel.
9 One night while Paul was in Corith, the Lord said to him in a vision, “Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, 10 for I am with you. No one will attack and harm you, for I have many people in this city.” 11 He settled there for a year and a half and taught the word of God among them. 12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him to the tribunal, 13 saying, “This man is inducing people to worship God contrary to the law.” 14 When Paul was about to reply, Gallio spoke to the Jews, “If it were a matter of some crime or malicious fraud, I should with reason hear the complaint of you Jews; 15 but since it is a question of arguments over doctrine and titles and your own law, see to it yourselves. I do not wish to be a judge of such matters.” 16 And he drove them away from the tribunal. 17 They all seized Sosthenes, the synagogue official, and beat him in full view of the tribunal. But none of this was of concern to Gallio. 18 Paul remained for quite some time, and after saying farewell to the brothers he sailed for Syria, together with Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had shaved his head because he had taken a vow. (Acts 18:9-18)
In trials deep, we're not exempt, yet God sustains, His promise kept. With faith, we rise, in strength, we're draped, in times of strife, His love's our cape. Trust in His faithfulness, so grand, in difficulty, by us, He'll stand. Focus with a positive gaze, in peace, our troubled hearts, He'll raise. Dwell on the truth, the right, the pure, on things lovely, of good repute. In honor, excellence, let's bask, in His praise, let's undertake our task. Connected, we are, in Christ, as one, in mutual support, His work is done. Unfolding His plan, in love, we're wrapped, in His teachings, let's be apt. Understand, communicate, and know, the Gospel's teachings, in us, they grow. In every word, in every verse, His love and wisdom, we immerse.
Dear Heavenly Father, in the midst of trials, we are reminded that You do not exempt us, but rather, You sustain us through them. With faith in You, we can overcome. We trust in Your faithfulness, especially in times of difficulty. Help us to focus with a positive outlook, maintaining peace in our hearts. Guide us to dwell on things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellent, and worthy of praise. Let these virtues guide our thoughts and actions, reflecting Your love and grace in our lives. Remind us that we are all connected as one body in Christ. May our mutual support intertwine to unfold Your work in this world. Let us be instruments of Your peace, love, and justice. Grant us the wisdom to know, understand, and effectively communicate the teachings of the Gospel. May Your Word be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. In all things, we give thanks to You, for Your steadfast love endures forever. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Praise be Jesus Christ! He is our good, all-powerful King, using His power to reign in righteousness. He is sovereign and has conquered death at the cross defeating evil. His death made it possible for us to also share in His Shekinah glory. He chose us out of love and grace despite our many sins. He is worthy of our praise because He can alone deliver us from both sin and death.
2 All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness, 3 for the Lord, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth. 4 He brings peoples under us; nations under our feet. 5 He chooses for us our inheritance, the glory of Jacob, whom he loves. 6 God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy; the Lord, amid trumpet blasts. 7 Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise. (Psalm 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7)
Praise be to Jesus, our King so bright, all-powerful, ruling in His righteous might. Sovereign and supreme, He stands tall, conquered death, for us gave His all. On the cross, evil was defeated,
by His sacrifice, death was cheated. In His Shekinah glory, we partake, His love and grace, for our sake. Chosen out of love, despite our sin, His grace abounds, dwells within. Worthy of praise, He stands alone, delivers us from sin, on His throne. From death to life, His power can sway, in His love, we find our way. Praise be Jesus Christ, our King, to Him, our praises, we joyfully sing.
Dear Heavenly Father, praise be to Jesus Christ, our good and all-powerful King. He reigns in righteousness, using His power to establish justice and peace. Sovereign overall, He has conquered death at the cross, defeating evil and bringing hope to the world. His death made it possible for us to share in His Shekinah glory, a testament to Your divine presence and love. Despite our many sins, He chose us out of love and grace, offering redemption and the promise of eternal life. He is worthy of our praise, for He alone can deliver us from both sin and death. As we navigate through the trials of life, may we always turn to Him, trusting in His unfailing love and mercy. In Jesus' 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
ACCUSATIONS BEFORE GALLIO / RETURN TO SYRIAN ANTIOCH
Acts 18:1-11 / 12-17 / 18-23
Responsorial Psalm
Second Book of Psalms 42-72
THE RULER OF ALL NATIONS
Psalm 47:1-10
Reflection Source:
Copilot
