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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider A little while

A little while

Published May 8, 2024 04:01 pm

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Gird your loins

The “little while” (Greek mikron) in cryptic passage of the “now-you-see-me, now-you-don’t” can refer to the interval between the present hour of the Last Supper and the time of Jesus’ arrest and death; or to the time between his death and his appearance to the disciples after his resurrection; or to the interval time between his ascension to the Father and his return someday in glory, at the “last day.” 

This time interval is no “little while” because contrary to the belief of the early Christians for the Parousia to happen soon, the time is known only to the Father. At the Last Supper, Jesus intimated to his disciples his impending departure: their sorrow will turn to joy (v 20) with the image of a woman whose pain at childbirth turns to happiness at the birth of her child. Despite their trials, Jesus assures them of the joy reserved for those who remain steadfast in faith. 

Pope Francis enjoins us to be ambassadors of joy in an otherwise joyless world that is full of distrust, discouragement, and depression, of individualism and self-interest: “Every Christian, and especially you and I, we are called to be bearers of this message of hope giving serenity and joy, God’s consolation, his tenderness towards all. But if we first experience the joy of being consoled by him, of being loved by him, then we can bring that joy to others” (Rejoice!—A Letter to Consecrated Men and Women, n 3, Rome, Feb. 2, 2014).

Gospel • John 16:16-20 

Jesus said to his disciples: “A little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while later and you will see me.” So some of his disciples said to one another, “What does this mean that he is saying to us, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” So they said, “What is this ‘little while’ of which he speaks? We do not know what he means.” 

Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Are you discussing with one another what I said, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? 

Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.”

Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

 

 

 

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