A Homily for Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter
Friday, May 15, 2026
Prince of Peace Catholic Church – 8:00 Mass
Acts 18:9-18; Psalm 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7; John 16:20-23
Audio Recording
In today’s Gospel, Jesus says something both honest and hopeful: “You will grieve, but your grief will become joy.” He does not deny the reality of suffering. He does not tell His disciples to ignore their fears or pretend everything is fine. Instead, He promises that God can transform suffering into something life-giving.
The disciples were about to experience confusion, fear, and heartbreak. Within hours, they would watch Jesus suffer and die. Everything they expected seemed to collapse. Yet Jesus compares their coming sorrow to the pain of childbirth — real pain that eventually gives way to new life.
Our first reading takes place during Paul’s second missionary journey. By this point, Paul had already traveled through much of Asia Minor and into Greece preaching the Gospel. He had been driven out of several cities, mocked by some audiences, and even imprisoned in Philippi. Before arriving in Corinth he had gone to Athens, where he preached at the Areopagus to the Greek philosophers. Although a few believed, many dismissed him. Humanly speaking, Paul could easily have felt discouraged and exhausted.
From Athens he traveled to Corinth, where we find him today. Corinth was one of the largest and most important cities in Greece. It was prosperous, cosmopolitan, and notorious for moral corruption. It was not exactly fertile ground for holiness. Yet this is where Paul stayed for over a year and a half preaching Christ.
When we hear today that the Lord told Paul, “Do not be afraid,” it helps to remember everything Paul had already endured to reach that point. He was not some fearless superhero untouched by hardship. He was a man of faith who carried rejection, fatigue, uncertainty, and opposition. Yet Christ continued guiding him forward step by step.
This matters for us because many people imagine faith means never struggling or becoming discouraged. But even the great saints experienced moments of weariness and fear. The important thing is not whether we face difficulties, but whether we continue walking with Christ through them.
That is exactly what Jesus addresses in today’s Gospel when He speaks to His apostles at the Last Supper. He makes it clear that sorrow, confusion, and suffering are part of life in a fallen world. There are struggles in marriage and family life. There are worries about health, finances, work, and the future. There are seasons when prayers seem unanswered and moments when we wonder what God is doing. This is all part of our human condition.
Yet again and again, Scripture reminds us that God is still at work even when we cannot yet see the outcome. The disciples could not imagine Easter Sunday while standing at the foot of the Cross. Paul could not yet see how greatly the Church in Corinth would grow through his ministry there.
What does this mean for us today?
First, do not mistake hardship for God’s absence. Often the Lord is working most deeply in us during difficult seasons.
Second, keep moving forward in faith even when results are unclear. Paul continued preaching one day at a time, trusting Christ with the outcome.
Finally, hold on to Christian hope. The Resurrection reminds us that God can bring new life even out of suffering and apparent defeat.
The Lord who strengthened Paul in Corinth and comforted the disciples before the Passion is the same Lord who walks beside us today. Therefore, be not afraid.
God bless you.