THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Thursday of sixth week of Easter

Acts18:1-8

Ps 98

John 16:16-20

Sorrow to Joy

The words of Jesus often have an enigmatic quality to them. Their meaning is not always immediately obvious. Those who listen to him sometimes have to struggle to understand what he is saying. We often have the same experience ourselves when we read the gospels. 

The words of Jesus set us on a journey of discovery. We gather with other believers to ponder them with a view to drawing out their meaning. We find something similar happening in this morning’s gospel reading ( Jn 16:16-20). Jesus says something and the disciples say to one another, ‘What does he mean?’ The words of Jesus that so mystified the disciples were, ‘In a short time you will no longer see me, and then a short time later you will see me again’. These words were spoken on the evening before Jesus was crucified. In a short time the disciples would no longer see Jesus because he would be put to death. Yet, God would vindicate his Son, bringing him through death into a new life. In a short time after his death, his disciples would see him again as risen Lord. Their sorrow at Jesus’ death, their weeping and wailing, would give way to joy. Loss and sorrow will not have the last word. God will bring new life out of Jesus’ death, new life not just for Jesus but for all who believe in him.

 This remains the hopeful message of the gospel today and of the Easter season. Loss and sorrow do not have the last word. We believe in a God who through Jesus is always at work bringing new life out of death, turning sorrow to joy.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit and guide me in your way of life, truth and goodness. Amen. 

+Remain flesh