You will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Easter Season:  Sixth  Week :  Friday*

*Gospel : Jn 16:20-23*

*First Reading : Acts 18:9-18*

*Responsorial Psalm : 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7*

*You will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices*

*1) The Paradox of the Cross*

At the time Jesus said these words, He was preparing His disciples for His impending death. 

He knew they would experience sorrow and confusion as He suffered and died. 

Meanwhile, the world—those opposed to Christ—would rejoice, believing they had silenced Him.

The Christian path often appears inverted. 

The cross is the ultimate symbol of this paradox: what the world sees as defeat, God uses for victory.

The sorrow of Good Friday paves the way for the joy of Easter Sunday.

*“But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise…”* — 1 Corinthians 1:27

*2) The Suffering of the Righteous*

This verse also speaks more broadly to the experience of God's people in a fallen world. 

Those who follow Christ often weep over sin, injustice, and suffering, while others celebrate success, comfort, or moral relativism.

Faithful mourning—rooted in love and longing for righteousness—is not in vain. It is a seed of joy.

*3) The Birth Pain Metaphor*

In the very next verses (John 16:21–22), Jesus uses the image of a woman in labor:

*“A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy...”*

The disciples' sorrow would be like labor pain—intense but purposeful. 

The resurrection would be the *"birth"* of joy, new life, and hope.

*4) Joy Rooted in Christ, Not Circumstances*

The world rejoices temporarily in its own victories, but the joy Jesus promises is enduring because it is based on His resurrection and His ultimate triumph over sin and death.

*“Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”* — John 16:22

Christian joy is not the absence of sorrow, but the presence of Christ in sorrow. 

It is deeper than emotion—it is rooted in hope

*5)  Word to the Present Church*

The above verse continues to speak to Christians today.

In many places, to follow Christ still means being misunderstood, marginalized, or even persecuted—while the world seems to thrive on values contrary to the gospel.

Jesus reminds us that such sorrow is not the end. It is a precursor to joy—a joy that the world cannot understand because it comes from the crucified and risenChrist.t

*6) Final Thought*

Jesus doesn’t deny the reality of sorrow. 

He sanctifies it. He shares it. And He transforms it into everlasting joy.

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*