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Home John 16:20-23 NRSVue

John 16:20-23 NRSVue

20Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy. 21When a woman is in labor, she has pain because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world. 22So you have pain now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE)

“Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.”

Some thoughts on this scripture

Reflection
/When a woman is in labour she has sorrow/. Jesus reminds us today of the price that mothers pay for their children: a fruitful line of prayer. There was a time when I was a helpless embryo in my mother's womb, feeding from her through the placenta. For those heavy months, mother was not merely carrying my growing weight, but concerned about how her life and behaviour would affect my health. Then she faced the acute pain, which males can hardly imagine, of bringing me into the world; and she continued to feed me, and stay on 24-hour duty to watch for my breathing and well-being. Let me never take for granted all the price that has been paid for my existence.

Reflection
Pain and the varied difficulties of life need not be the final word for the follower of Jesus. Pain often turns to joy, and in every small 'death' in life is the hope of rising into a deeper life with Jesus. Problems can be a path towards growth, especially in the context of love; they may also be a cul-de-sac, blocking any future development and joy. With Jesus we walk always with the 'Alleluia' on our lips and in our hearts.

Reflection
Perhaps I already know what it is like to ask nothing of Jesus, recognising that there are times when I am content. I pray for a deep appreciation of God's goodness and for trust.

Reflection
I acknowledge any pain that may be in my life and ask God for healing.

Reflection
There is a deep-down joy that nothing can take from us. Perhaps you noticed this in a time of doubt, confusion, pain or fear. It is a conviction that God is near and does not abandon us, and it lasts. Prayer can confirm this deep-down joy, when we return to it in memory, and the joy goes that bit deeper. It is a joy born in times of life we may never have chosen, but it may emerge, with the grace of God, in times of confusion, doubt, pain and personal darkness.