Daily Devotion for Monday 14th July 2025

St John 16: 16 – 24

‘A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me.’ Then some of his disciples said to one another, ‘What does he mean by saying to us, “A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me”; and “Because I am going to the Father”?’  They said, ‘What does he mean by this “a little while”? We do not know what he is talking about.’  Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, ‘Are you discussing among yourselves what I meant when I said, “A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me”?  Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy.  When a woman is in labour, she has pain, because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world.  So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.  On that day you will ask nothing of me.[c] Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.  Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

Reflection

There are two types of change that we go through – there are those we actively choose and those that are thrust upon us. In John 16, Jesus prepares His disciples for the significant shift they will encounter with His impending ascension. He, importantly, acknowledges the emotional turmoil that this separation will bring and, in doing so, shows us that grief is a natural and necessary part of our journey.

Jesus felt grief, his experiences with Lazarus, Judas, Peter, and others taught him the weight of loss keenly.  He tells those around him about the importance of grieving as a pathway to healing. This understanding informs His teachings, reminding both the disciples, and us, that it is essential to honour our feelings during times of change. Mourning is not a sign of weakness; instead, it is a vital step on the path to finding joy once more.

The words of Amanda Gorman in her Children’s Book “Change Sings” resonate powerfully with this theme. The imagery of stepping out of the shade and into the light symbolises the courage required to embrace change. Gorman’s invitation to be “brave enough to see it” and “brave enough to be it” encourages us to confront our fears and welcome the unknown with open hearts.

Ultimately, this reflection on John 16 and Gorman’s poetry inspires us to navigate the complexities of change with grace and compassion for myself. It acknowledges grief, honours our emotions, and inspires trust that even in the depths of sorrow, the dawn of joy awaits. By embracing both the pain and the potential for renewal, we have the potential to move forward with hope and courage, ready to welcome the transformative journeys that lie ahead.
 
Prayer
 
Dear Lord,
help us to navigate change, however it comes.
Remind us of the grace and love that you have for us,
that we should have for ourselves.
May we be ready for joy when it comes to us.
Amen