The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/051118.cfm) reminds
me that God’s joy is greater than all our pain and concerns.
Back
in high school, I remember that for some reason, I feel down when rain is
pouring hard, but when the sun is brightly shining, I feel better. The sun
gives me energy and good vibes. I associate darkness with sadness,
and light with hope and energy. Then in one of our chemistry class, our teacher
explained that there are molecules or elements in the rain that really affects
the mood of a person. The same way that the sun gives us energy, it symbolizes
hope and new beginnings.
In
the gospel, we see Jesus explain this. We will weep and mourn, but our sadness
will become joy. And the joy he gives us is great – great enough to make us
forget the sadness we experienced before it. IT is a joy that only God can
give. It is a joy because of God’s love. It is the joy we can get if we remain
in God.
God's
joy is greater than all of the pain and challenges in life.
Our
lives are full of challenges and trials – especially when we do God’s work.
However, we should be inspired and assured of a joy that will make us forget
everything. God is faithful, and as long as we remain in
Him, we will surely experience his blessings and his joy.
We will surely experience God’s love. And when we do, we will
forget the pain. We will be overwhelmed with God's joy, with God's peace, with
God's love.
What
are my problems and concerns now? What are weighing me down? How do I handle
those things? What instances in the past did i feel lonely and sad? What did
God do during those times? How did he manifest his love for me during
challenging situations? What is he telling me today?
May
we remember that despite everything we are going through, despite all the
problems and difficulties, God will eventually give us joy that will make us
forget all the pain. We just have to remain in him and endure the challenges
until that time.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live.
thank you for another weekend coming up. Thank you for the reminder. Lord,
sorry for forgetting this. Sorry for the times I let grief, pain and challenges
overwhelm me and bring me down. Sorry for forgetting who you are and what
you bring. Lord, I pray that you help me remain focused on you. i experience
challenges and difficulties in life, but I remain focused on you and will hope
on the joy only you can bring. Keep me in your love. Strengthen me. Guide me.
Use me. Amen.
Blessed Day!
In Christ,
-g-
May
11, 2018
Friday of the Sixth Week of
Easter
Lectionary: 295
Lectionary: 295
Reading 1 ACTS 18:9-18
One
night while Paul was in Corinth, the Lord said to him in a vision,
"Do not be afraid.
Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you.
No one will attack and harm you,
for I have many people in this city."
He settled there for a year and a half
and taught the word of God among them.
But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia,
the Jews rose up together against Paul
and brought him to the tribunal, saying,
"This man is inducing people to worship God contrary to the law."
When Paul was about to reply, Gallio spoke to the Jews,
"If it were a matter of some crime or malicious fraud,
I should with reason hear the complaint of you Jews;
but since it is a question of arguments over doctrine and titles
and your own law, see to it yourselves.
I do not wish to be a judge of such matters."
And he drove them away from the tribunal.
They all seized Sosthenes, the synagogue official,
and beat him in full view of the tribunal.
But none of this was of concern to Gallio.
Paul remained for quite some time,
and after saying farewell to the brothers he sailed for Syria,
together with Priscilla and Aquila.
At Cenchreae he had shaved his head because he had taken a vow.
"Do not be afraid.
Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you.
No one will attack and harm you,
for I have many people in this city."
He settled there for a year and a half
and taught the word of God among them.
But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia,
the Jews rose up together against Paul
and brought him to the tribunal, saying,
"This man is inducing people to worship God contrary to the law."
When Paul was about to reply, Gallio spoke to the Jews,
"If it were a matter of some crime or malicious fraud,
I should with reason hear the complaint of you Jews;
but since it is a question of arguments over doctrine and titles
and your own law, see to it yourselves.
I do not wish to be a judge of such matters."
And he drove them away from the tribunal.
They all seized Sosthenes, the synagogue official,
and beat him in full view of the tribunal.
But none of this was of concern to Gallio.
Paul remained for quite some time,
and after saying farewell to the brothers he sailed for Syria,
together with Priscilla and Aquila.
At Cenchreae he had shaved his head because he had taken a vow.
Responsorial Psalm PS 47:2-3,
4-5, 6-7
R.
(8a) God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
All you peoples, clap your hands,
shout to God with cries of gladness,
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He brings people under us;
nations under our feet.
He chooses for us our inheritance,
the glory of Jacob, whom he loves.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
All you peoples, clap your hands,
shout to God with cries of gladness,
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He brings people under us;
nations under our feet.
He chooses for us our inheritance,
the glory of Jacob, whom he loves.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Alleluia SEE LK
24:46, 26
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead,
and so enter into his glory.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead,
and so enter into his glory.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel 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
"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
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