Today's Gospel

The Truth about the Second Coming

Welcome back to Radical and Relevant, where each day we delve into the gospel. We allow God to feed us with His Word, to instruct us with His Word, to guide us, to coach us, to inspire us, to challenge us, to comfort us with His Word. Today's reading is from the Gospel of John, chapter 16, verses 16 through 20. "A little while and you will see me no more. Again, "A little while and you will see me." Some of his disciples said to one another, "What is this that he says to us? A little while and you will see me no more, and again a little while and you will see me." And because I go to the Father, they said, "What does He mean by a little while?" We do not know what He means. Jesus knew that they wanted to ask Him. So He said to them, "Is this what you're asking yourselves? What I meant by saying a little while, and you will not see me, and again, a little while, and you will see me?" Truly, truly, I say to you, "You will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy."

All of Christian history, people have been asking, "Well, what did Jesus mean by a little while?" He'd be back in a little while. And at different points in history, people have predicted the second comings coming this time or that time. And of course, you and I know that it's about being ready every day. It's about being ready for the second coming every day. Not worrying about when he comes or how long a little while is. But the last line is so powerful, right? You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. You'll be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. What is your sorrow at this time in your life? Really, when you just sit with your heart? What is it that makes your heartache? What is it that is breaking your heart right now? What is it that is causing a soul sadness, a deep sadness within you? And do you believe that, as the Psalm says, joy cometh in the morning? Do you believe that joy will come again? Sometimes it's hard, right? Sometimes the sadness, the grief, the sorrow is so just so all-encompassing. It just shrouds your whole being, your whole life, and you think the sun is never going to shine again. But God has a way of working through these things, and enjoy cometh in the morning. So whatever your sorrow is, hold in that sorrow, the hope of the joy that will come. It's a promise. He guarantees it. Jesus promises a lot of things. He promises us suffering. He promises us rejection. But he also promises us that our sorrow will be followed by joy promises us that joy cometh in the morning. Have a great day. And remember, Be Bold, Be Catholic.