What is this ‘little while’ of which he speaks?

Gospel Thoughts

*Easter Season : 6th Week - Thursday*

*GOSPEL -  Jn 16:16-20*

*First Reading - Acts 18:1-8 or Acts 1:1-11*

*What is this ‘little while’ of which he speaks?*

*How to understand and manage this "Little While"*

*1) The meaning of the Little While*

The phrase "for a little while" means "for a short time". 

"For a little while" is more common and natural than "for a short time" in conversation.

In the context of the bible it refers to the death and burial of Jesus 

*2) A little while and you will no longer see me*

This *little while* refers to three days after the death of Jesus and till the resurrection of Jesus 

It  was a short period of time, during which the disciples could not see Jesus 

As Jesus said, *You will no longer see me* became a reality, when Jesus died on the Cross and buried in the tomb 

*3) And again a little while later and you will see me.*

This phrase refers to the post resurrection experience of the disciples 

After three days when Jesus rose from the death on the Easter Sunday, some of His disciples were able to see and they were thrilled to see the risen Lord 

So after a short period of time they were able to see Jesus again which gave them new experience

*4) How did the disciples manage the Little While?*

In fact this *Little while* became very challenging time or situation in the life of the disciples

Some of them got confused, some of them were shocked, some of them gave up their entire hope, some of them were  returning to their old trade and one committed suicide

So the management of *little while* really became very tough challenge in thier lives 

*5) No one can escape the experience of Little While*

The experience of *little while* is part and parcel of our lives 

It is very hard to cross our life without having experience of little while 

One has to go through this experience on his/her life 

But the response to the experience of *little while* is very important in our lives 

*6) How do I react to the experience of little while?*

There is no doubt that the experience of little while is very challenging in our life 

It is a kind of spiritual dryness in our life 

It is an experience where we feel that God is not with us 

It is an experience where we feel the silence of God in our misery 

It is an experience where we feel that our prayers are not heard by God 

This experience is the part and parcel of our life 

But what is my response? 

Do I grumble at the situation and question God?

Do I make God as responsible for the situation?

Do I give up my hope, faith, and humility and do my own will? 

Do I feel that my God is not responding to my prayers and I grumble at it? 

What is my response? 

How do I manage a *little while* in my life?

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*