“…whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.”

 

The Scripture readings for today's reflection can be found at Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter | USCCB

We all go through struggles in our lives, whether it’s a problem with a relationship, illness, problems with our children, issues at work, and so on. In all these issues we may feel angry, sad, frustrated or grief. These are all part of the human condition that we face day-to-day.

Our Lord, being not only fully divine, but also fully human, knew and understood the feelings that we all go through in these day-to-day challenges. But he is encouraging us to have faith and trust that these things will pass, and we will eventually feel the joy and peace that comes from Him and His presence in our life.

Using the example of a woman in labor, our Lord points out that once the labor pains are gone, and the child is in the loving arms of its mother, the pain is forgotten, and the mother feels the joy of the presence of the baby in her arms.

Jesus is inviting us to place our love and trust in him in whatever we’re dealing with in our life. If we are struggling with a problem, place it in the Lord’s hands to help deal with it in a way that will give peace. Our Lord will be present to us to help us with our struggles. Then once we’re beyond the problems we are facing, our hearts will rejoice as we feel that peace and comfort that comes through trust in the Lord’s presence in our life.

Jesus wants his disciples to know and believe that after the difficult days of his crucifixion and death, new life will come forth for them.  Jesus also wants us to know and believe that after our difficult days, we also will experience new life.  Once again, we will see him and experience His presence with us.   We will be able to rejoice when Jesus gifts us with new life and hope.

 Our part is to trust and be watchful and attentive to his coming. This often is easier said than done.  We may know Jesus will come again, but when life is difficult and painful, we may not trust that new life and hope will ever return to us.  Often the journey to new life is long and hard.  If we truly trust Jesus, however, we will stay on the journey with him despite the difficulty and the pain.

 As we go through our day, in whatever we are facing, remember what our Lord promises, “…whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.” (John 16:23) With that prayer on our lips, we can find the joy that Jesus is promising us. Further, let us remember the words of Padre Pio, “Pray, hope, and don’t worry.” Amen.