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. (Jn 16:20-23)
Weeping, mourning and grief are relative. They are also not eternal. They are for a short time only. They are time bound. It is interesting that Jesus makes such an affirmative statement about these facts. He says “Amen, Amen, I say to you…”. This is one of the revelations that Jesus makes to his disciples. They should not get stuck to their own sufferings and problems.
Grief will turn to Joy. The sufferings of the disciples are for a positive and joy-bringing cause. Sufferings and pain are not to destroy the disciples and not to lead them to despair. They are like the mother in travail. Suffering for that mother is real but the reality that comes with that is more positive and life-giving that the suffering is not noticed. Similarly the sufferings of the disciples are also. The disciples should think of the positive and good effects that come out of the suffering.
Jesus will come back is the joyous news for the disciples that will take away all anguish. Presence of Jesus is such a joy that it cannot be taken away from the disciples. Presence of Jesus is a joy that is all fulfilling and all rewarding and all revealing that there will be no more questions; no more anxieties and worries.
