Daily Catholic Lectio
Fri, 15 May 2026
Sixth Week of Easter
Ac 18:9-18. Jn 16:20-23
From Grief to Joy
Today’s Word of God invites us to reflect on a deep movement in Christian life: from grief to joy. Jesus does not deny the reality of sorrow. He says clearly, “You will weep and mourn.” The disciples will experience pain when Jesus is taken away from them. His absence will wound their hearts. But Jesus also gives them a promise: “Your grief will become joy.”
To explain this, Jesus uses the image of a mother in childbirth. A mother suffers the pain of labour. The pain is real. It is intense. But when the child is born, her sorrow is changed into joy, because a new life has come into the world. The pain is not meaningless. It becomes the path through which life is born. In the same way, the sorrow of the disciples will not be the end. The cross will lead to resurrection. Separation will lead to a deeper presence. Tears will lead to joy.
This image teaches us three simple truths. First, pain is not permanent. It may feel heavy, but it does not last forever. Secondly, in moments of pain, we must remember the joy that God prepares beyond it. Faith helps us to see not only the wound, but also the life that can come through the wound. Thirdly, our response to suffering depends on how we look at it. If we see suffering only as loss, we fall into despair. If we see it with faith, it can become a doorway to grace.
Jesus then gives two beautiful promises. The first promise is: “No one will take your joy from you.” The joy of the risen Christ is not fragile. It does not depend only on success, comfort, or human approval. It is rooted in the presence of Jesus. The world may take away peace, security, health, friendship, or honour. But it cannot take away the joy that comes from communion with the risen Lord.
The second promise is: “On that day you will ask nothing of me.” This does not mean that prayer will end. It means that the heart will become free. When a person says, “I need nothing more,” it is the language of inner freedom. True joy, deep contentment, and freedom of heart go together. When Jesus is truly present in us, we are no longer restless for many things. His presence
becomes enough.
In the first reading, Paul also passes through fear and difficulty. He is in Corinth, facing opposition and uncertainty. But the Lord appears to him in a vision and says, “Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you.” God does not remove every struggle from Paul’s life. But God strengthens him within the struggle. The Lord stands near the suffering heart and gives courage.
This is the message for us today. Christian joy is not the absence of sorrow. It is the presence of Christ in sorrow. Grief becomes joy when we know that Jesus is with us. Pain becomes fruitful when we place it in His hands. Fear becomes courage when we hear His voice: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.”
Let us ask for this grace today: to look at our sufferings with faith, to wait patiently for the joy God is preparing, and to remain close to Jesus. Then no one will be able to take away our joy.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
A ‘Yesni Prays’ Initiative
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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