In today’s Gospel, Jesus offers assurance to his disciples: “You will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy ... but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.”
Surprisingly, on my ordination card in 1977, prepared by my parents while I was still a deacon in Africa, this was the scripture quote on it. When I took my first vows – yes, 50 years ago this year! – I more or less knew that I was getting into, at least in broad strokes. Being in the middle of a war had not been part of the plan, or being a refugee for awhile, or ,,,
For you who are married, there were the vows to one another, “in sickness and in health; in good times and bad times …” On graduation day, there is the promise of a bright future. Those moments were the beginning of God’s plan being revealed.
These words of the Gospel still resonate in me, and, I hope, in you, too. Then and now, these words are full of hope, not of naive hope. No, there is no promise of a life free of suffering. Thinking back to those vows, we were not dwelling on sickness or bad times; only the joy of knowing we were making a commitment to love, no matter what may lie ahead.
With his death just around the corner, Jesus says these words with passion and He projects hope. To commit ourselves to Jesus and to trust in Him is the way to joy. What people and events do we remember that carry us through these difficult times? In advance of being accused and brought before a tribunal, this same hope is offered to Paul in a vision. He doesn’t waver in his hope in the Lord, even remaining in that city for quite some time after this incident before departing for Syria. What vision of a post-pandemic way of life for us do we work toward in our hope?
To this day, we hold dear this gift and remember these encouraging words of Jesus. Yes, we are made for joy. On Sunday we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord; next Sunday, the feast of Pentecost, Jesus’ gift of the Holy Spirit. Let us welcome this gift and embrace with hope the joy that Jesus promises.
Abundant blessings,
Fr. Brian