HOMILY OF 6TH FRIDAY IN EASTERTIDE — YEAR A

HOMILY OF 6TH FRIDAY IN EASTERTIDE — YEAR A

HOMILY THEME: “YOU WILL GRIEVE, BUT YOUR GRIEF WILL BECOME JOY”

BY: Fr. Mike Lagrimas

Acts 18:9-18; Psalm 46(47):2-7; John 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.”

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“You will grieve, but your grief will become joy.” Jesus is aware that His disciples must have failed to grasp the meaning of this statement. How can grief become joy? To help them understand this, Jesus uses the example of a woman in labor: “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.”

I have my own modern parable to further illustrate this lesson. This is entitled “Road Construction”:

When the road is under construction, motorists suffer a lot. One’s commute is agonizingly slow and difficult. There is traffic congestion, and at times it even comes to a standstill. So much precious time is lost on the road.

But it is during these times when vehicles are agonizingly slow that one begins to notice the many interesting details along the way. These are the things that often go unnoticed and taken for granted when the road is good and travel is fast – the many restaurants and fruit stands, the nice people walking by, children playing in front of their homes, the beautiful trees and flowers along the road, the names of streets, the important traffic signs, and many others. More importantly, he learns to enjoy and relish the company of friends and fellow commuters and motorists on the road.

And when the construction is finished, one barely remembers the discomfort and sufferings of the past. He now enjoys the newly- paved road, and travel is fast once again. But this time, he gives special attention to the beautiful and interesting things along the way that make his daily commute even more pleasant and enjoyable.

This is similar with what happens in our earthly life. We are just travelers in this world on a lifelong journey to our heavenly home. Most of the times travel is smooth, hassle-free and fast. However, since we move fast, we barely notice and fail to appreciate the wonderful sights around us – family, people, places, events and many other blessings that abound. But life in this world is not always easy. There are times, though, when problems, failures and sufferings eventually come. It is like being stuck on the part of the road that is “under construction.”

However, being stuck in this “road under construction” gives us the opportunity to discover the many blessings in disguise and to spend time more productively and meaningfully. The presence of loved ones and friends provides comforting assurance in times of difficulties. Then looking around, we discover the many beautiful things and events along the road that we missed when travel was fast. Life, after all, is full of surprises and wonderful blessings, even in moments of difficulties and sufferings.

And when the difficult stage is over, the journey continues, fast and smooth. The pains and sufferings of the past are soon forgotten as it becomes more enjoyable. But now, we find time to appreciate and cherish the interesting and wonderful blessings in life. Most especially, we begin to appreciate the value of being with fellow travelers – the entire community of believers – the Church. We are never alone in this journey of life. Most importantly, we should always be full of hope and joy as we take to heart the solemn promise of the Lord: “I am with you always until the end of this age.”

We ought not wait for trials and failures to slow us down. The Gospel message today is reminding us to slow down, to take some time off, and learn to appreciate and cherish the beauty and meaning of life.
Needless to say, it is best to take some sort spiritual retreat or recollection, in order to assess the status and direction of our life through the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

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