Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter
Jesus, the master teacher, knew how to connect with his audience. The powerful image of giving birth certainly spoke to the mothers in the crowd. But it also spoke to the fathers who shared in that deeply parental event, even though they were pushed to the sidelines during that moment of their personal anxiety.
It would seem that Jesus was using this birthing image to make the point that whenever powerful experiences of pain, sorrow, and anxiety seem to threaten our hope, there is still something more to think about. That word more can refer to a whole dynamic of searching for what lies deep within. There are times when ultimate questions like “why am I here?” and “what am I supposed to do and be?” become the driving force behind the pressures of life. Jesus is speaking to anyone willing to look beyond the present darkness and into a brighter future. It is always a gift, a gift given in unconditional love.
Seeking this promised future means coming to a personal relationship with the One who declared: “I am the Truth, the Way, and the Life.” These are not cheap words of a “feel-good” variety. In fact, they are the most practical of tools, giving us the courage to confront the powers of darkness and move toward the Light of Easter. We truly act upon our belief that the Risen Lord is with us!
Reflection by Fr. Daniel Petsche, OSB
Posted in Article for Easter, Daily Reflections