A WORD FOR TODAY 22 MAY 2020

A WORD FOR TODAY

YOUR SORROW WILL TURN INTO JOY

"Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy." (John 16:20)

The words of Jesus in the gospel reading of today are soothing to the heart and can give a person who is tired and downcast the strength to continue to push until he or she pushes through and becomes victorious.

One thing I have come to know in this life is that nothing good comes easy. If you truly want joy, you must be disposed to pass through some level of pain and discomfort and you must also also make sacrifices and even suffer for that joy to come.

Suffering comes to us from time to time and sometimes, we do not even want it, still it comes. We see how the People in the first reading attacked Paul and did everything they could to make Him stop proclaiming Christ. It was painful, but He persevered and today He is happy in heaven.

To make a choice to follow Jesus is also to make a choice to suffer and die, but the sufferings and sorrow you experience for His sake will eventually bring you unlimited joy in the end. He tells us that the world will rejoice at our pain and sorrow, but our sorrow shall definitely be turned into joy. This means that when you suffer for the sake of Christ, do not give up, but remain steadfast, because the pain must surely pass and joy will come. A woman in labour is in pains but as soon as the child is born she no longer remembers what she went through to give birth to the child. Jesus will definitely restore our joy if we remain in Him and put our trust in Him.

Are you suffering now for the sake of Christ? Are you going through a rough time now simply because you are a follower of Jesus? Are you in pains or is sorrow overwhelming you? Do not panic, do not give up, but stay strong and hold unto your faith. God will restore your joy and your latter days will be more glorious than the former. This is the time to believe in Jesus' words that your sorrow shall be turned into joy. There will be light at the end of the dark tunnel, because Jesus will not abandon you._

Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you do your work and do have a splendid day. May Jesus, give you the grace to remain steadfast until your joy is restored. Amen. And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Meditation: Acts 18:9-18/Psalm 47:2-7/John 16:20-23

Watch-Word: I will see you again and your hearts shall rejoice.

Joy will definitely come, but before it comes, you will also be ready to suffer for the sake of Christ.

(Friday of the Sixth week of Easter. Cycle A)