A Homily for Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter
Friday, May 30, 2025
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
Jesus gives us a beautiful image in today’s Gospel — one that many of us can relate to from our own lives or from watching our children or grandchildren become parents:
“When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world.” (John 16:21)
This isn’t just a description of childbirth. It’s a spiritual truth about life itself. Pain and hardship are real, but they are often the path to something greater. They are not the end of the story.
As people who have lived through many seasons of life — times of joy and sorrow, of gain and loss — we know better than most that life comes with its share of labor pains. Some of us have buried loved ones. Some have dealt with illness, loneliness, or the pain of watching the world around you change in ways that are difficult to understand.
Like the disciples in today’s Gospel, you may have had times in your life when you wondered where Jesus was. Maybe you even asked, “Lord, why are You letting this happen?”
Jesus understands that anguish. That’s why He said to His disciples, “So you also are now in anguish.” He was speaking about His coming death, and He knew they would be confused and afraid. But He also promised them something powerful: “I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” That’s the promise He makes to us as well.
In these later years of life, our challenges may be quieter — but no less real. Sometimes it’s physical pain or limited mobility. Sometimes it’s a sense of being forgotten or misunderstood. And often, it’s the heartache of missing those who have gone before us.
But even these sorrows can be turned into joy when we offer them to the Lord. He sees our silent endurance. He honors our faithfulness. He walks with us through every trial.
We may not be able to do what we once did, but we can still love. We can still pray. We can still offer our life as a gift to God. And in doing so, we give birth to something beautiful — a deeper trust, a greater peace, and a witness of faith for those who come after us.
Let us not forget that we are a people of hope. Just as a mother forgets her pain when she holds her child, so too will we forget our sorrow when we behold the Lord in glory.
He is preparing that moment for us. And until then, we keep going, one prayer, one day, one small act of love at a time.
So today, think about where you may be experiencing anguish. Offer it to Jesus. Trust that it is not wasted. Trust that He will use it to bring about something holy — either in you or through you. Because Jesus keeps His promises.
And one day, He will say to you: “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Come, share in your Master’s joy.”
God bless you.