Tuesday, October 27
Liturgical Color: Green
Today the Church honors St. Emilina,
religious. Because of her deep prayer life
and gift of prophecy people came to her
for counsel. She used her gift to help
others grow stronger in their faith. St.
Emilina died in 1178.
Today’s Reading: John 16:16-24
16 “A little while, and you will see me no more; again a little while, and you will see me.” 17 Some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?” 18 They said, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he means.” 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him; so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’? 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is in labor, she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she is delivered of the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father, he will give it to you in my name. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”
Today’s Commentary
A little while: The disciples will again see Jesus at his Resurrection
(20:19-30), and after his Ascension they will await his visible return in glory (Acts 1:9-11).
her hour has come: The hour of Christ’s Passion is compared to the pangs of childbirth. The disciples, like a woman in labor, will experience extreme distress that soon gives way to joy when Christ is reborn to a new life on Easter morning.