Our Hearts Will Rejoice

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. – John 16:22

The present time is certainly a time of anguish and grief. So many deaths from this pandemic. So many separations as family members cannot visit those who are sick in the hospitals or nursing homes. The anguish felt by loved ones must be indescribable.

And those of us who are quarantined at home, not able to see our children and grandchildren very often and when we do, unable to hug and kiss them.

Oh, what joy when we are finally able to give them a huge hug!

In today’s gospel, the apostles were sad by the news that Jesus was leaving them. I don’t think they really understood what was going to happen. 

But Jesus tells them – and us – that the separation will not be forever. There will be a time of reunion and we will experience a joy that we cannot even imagine right now.

Do we believe in that joy? 

Do we trust that, someday, we will look upon the face of God?

And on that glorious day, our hearts will rejoice.

Tagged as: gospel reflections, grief, Jesus, joy

Categorised in: Gospel Reflections, Weekday Reflections