Magnolia May 1, 2005

Abbey Glen May 2005

May 6, 2005

Sadness and Joy Jn 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."
The sadness and suffering of the disciples of Jesus turns into joy. The resurrection and eternal life are the cause for great rejoicing. The journey in this world has many causes of grief. When we see Jesus again there will be no doubt, but a lasting joy.

Suffering is a point of human existence when we can walk away from faith or grow closer in it. Sometimes the "why" is not as important as "what" are you going to do right now. Talking to God in the midst of the greatest suffering and trials and maintaining a dialogue through it all is all important. Jesus tells us in the reading to ask the Father in Jesus' name and it will be given. Clinging to that connection with God is our way through the pain to the joy.

I must sound very simple. It is a matter of knowing what works for me in my own experience and heart more than any complicated theology or intellectual learning. The analogy of a woman in labor having pain that is forgotten with the joy of a child is beautiful and from the stories my friends have told me quite true. Some have had very difficult deliveries, but said when they look at their baby it is all worth it.