In the first reading, God assures Paul of his presence and support in his missionary work, “Do not be afraid … I am with you.”
In the Gospel reading, Jesus assures his disciples of his continuing presence and support, in the midst of suffering and pain.
In reality no one in this life is truly exempt from suffering and pain. Even Jesus had more than his share of suffering and excruciating pain, pain of betrayal by his friends and his passion and death on the cross. In the early Church, “the blood of Christians was the productive seed of Christianity.” Suffering and pain have been with humanity even from the fall in the Garden of Eden, “I will increase your suffering in childbearing, and you will give birth to your children in pain.” (Gn 3: 16) “Cursed be the soil because of you. In suffering you will provide food for yourself from it, all the days of your life.” (Gn 3: 17)
How do we face suffering and pain? Suffering teaches us to be strong and courageous. In the Gospel, knowing that no one really is exempt from suffering and pain, Jesus assures us that he will be with us and that there will be joy, his joy to look forward to and hope for.
We pray that we, too, in whatever tasks we have in living and preaching Christ and the Good News, despite pain and suffering, may remain joyful in the Lord, confident of his presence and his help