Posted by The WORD in other words (2009) by Fr. Cyril Ortega, SVD – Abra
Friday 6th Week of Easter
During the time of Jesus, the Jews believed that time is divided into two ages: the present and the future. The transition between these two ages is called the Day of the Lord when the world will experience terrible catastrophes. In other words, the “end of the world” will pave the way to a harmonious world in the future.
Thus Jesus is saying: “Now you see me (in this present world). Now you don’t see me (in the day of the Lord). Now you see me again (in the future age).” (John 16,17)
As we move ahead, we will experience pain; but our sorrow will soon turn into joy. The Jews called this transition, the “birth pangs of the Messiah”—like a mother who painfully labors to deliver her child. This future image is what we reflect on especially in the time of death.
The passage tells those who have experienced joy: this joy will be complete and permanent. This pursuit of this complete and permanent joy makes us forget the pain we went through to possess this treasure of great price.
Or, in another sense, it is during the darkest hour of the night that we see the brightest stars. Like a little child filled with innocent hope, we smile at the wondrous sight.
These birth pangs are not alien to our own experiences. For example, the struggles we experience as we prepare for final exams are taxing and difficult. But when we are done, the experience of joy is so overwhelming that we forget the pain and the sleepless nights that went with it. These moments of joy are precious because celebrated with special people and punctuated with happy faces.
And if one looks at it in another angle, this is also how we grow. Like a mother who carries her child in her womb, we too carry our dreams within us, hoping that soon our dreams will come true.
And our greatest dream is when we see Jesus face to face and our happiness will be endless.
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