1Reflection for May 19, Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter: John 16:20-23

Gospel: John 16:20-23

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. 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. 

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. 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.”

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Reflection:

Are you afraid to go through suffering? 

We all are. As much as possible, we try to avoid pain and hardship in life. Deep within, we long for a suffering-free existence. But for those who believe in and follow Jesus, a life without suffering is not part of our journey. 

Why? Because it is often through our sufferings that we come to deeply experience the abiding presence of Jesus in our lives. In our moments of weakness and sorrow, He draws nearer, reminding us that we are never alone. 

Jesus does not promise us a life without trials, but He does promise to walk with us and strengthen us—if we steadfastly hold on to Him. Even now, many of us carry silent burdens, unseen struggles. And yet, in the midst of our pain, we choose to cling tightly to our faith in Jesus. Through that unshakable faith, we find the strength to carry on, one day at a time. 

In our Gospel this Friday, Jesus tells His disciples: “You will weep and mourn...” (John 16:20) He spoke these words as His hour of suffering—His arrest, passion, and death—was drawing near. But He also assured them that joy would follow. Their sorrow would turn to rejoicing—a joy and triumph that no one could take away. This joy comes from His resurrection and His glorious victory over death. 

What matters most is that we continue to hold on to Jesus, no matter how intense the trials we face. For if we remain unwavering in our faith, there will surely come a day of triumph—a day when all our tears will be wiped away, and our pain will be transformed into divine joy. 

Let us not fear suffering, for in it, we are drawn closer to the heart of our Savior. – Marino J. Dasmarinas