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Gospel Reading for May 10, 2024 – John 16: 20-23
TEMPORARY
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.”
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“. . . no one will take your joy away from you.” When we are confident of our loyalty to God, it will bring us joy and happiness no matter what non-Christians, agnostics or atheists will say or do. There is a certain feeling of being sure we are on the right path. There is a certain assurance that God is very pleased with us. There is a certain shield that the devil is unable to penetrate. But, we have to take care that it does not develop into self-righteousness, or the belief that we are better compared to others. If we have a truly loving and intimate relationship with God, even events in our life that bring tears to our eyes will be TEMPORARY, knowing all these will pass because he will take good care of us.\
Lord, may our relationship with you help us surpass all grief and make them turn into joy!