A WOMAN IN CHILDBIRTH

PRAYER MOMENT 

Friday 15 May 2015

A WOMAN IN CHILDBIRTH

Pause. Enter into the stillness of God within.

Reading: “A woman in childbirth suffers, because her time has come; but when she has given birh to the child she forgets her suffering in her joy that a child has been born into the world.” (John 16:20-23)

Reflection. John has few parables but this is one. Luke tells us of a woman who suffers because she has lost something precious. She sweeps the house and searches until she has found it. John uses this drama from ordinary life also to speak of suffering and joy. The paschal mystery of death and resurrection is not far from us. In fact it is the only way to live. It is written into life: no sweat, no sweet. But still, we fight against it when it comes and wish it were not so. But it is. The people of Burundi are the latest to come head on with this sadness written into our DNA. The call of Jesus is to be awake, “gird your loins,” prepare for action. The time for joy will come soon.

   

Prayer. Lord, we pray to be ready to respond to the challenges built into our life. Help us not to lose heart but to know that this is our time. Amen.

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