The Gospel for this Third Sunday after Easter is from John 16:16-22. This is one of several selections during Eastertide from the “Farewell Discourses” where Jesus gives some final instructions to His followers before the crucifixion. In all likelihood, He may have repeated similar instructions during His forty days with them after Easter.
A key verse in the passage is John 16: 22: “ And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.” Joy is a major of Easter and the following season, but we are tempted to ignore its great importance. The joy of Christ's living presence should remain in our hearts and minds.
Jesus Christ rises from the dead. He wins an eternal victory over Satan, sin, and death, and He offers us true joy. This joy of Christ goes beyond passing earthly happiness. Christian joy is a spiritual gift. It transforms the sorrows of this world. It comes from the grace of God embodied in Jesus Christ. As believers, we still have both sorrows and joys, but there is one joy that surpasses our earthly circumstances. We still have bad times in this life, but the joy of Christ can remain through our worldly sorrows. Since this joy comes from our Lord, no one can take it from us. We can forget it or ignore it, but the gift is still there. So in faith, we should reclaim joy if it fades and abide in it. This is the great joy of knowing that the presence of the risen Christ is with us, in this world and the next!
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