NOTES for Joh 16:20-23
Indeed, how full of joy and exultation is that which comes after sorrow! The Lord says to His disciples: “Your sorrow will turn into joy” (John 16:20). Yes, this speaks of the sorrow caused by the Teacher’s death and of the joy of the Resurrection. And joy comes because the Lord rises and reveals Himself anew to those who seek Him. But what prevents us from applying this passage to our everyday sorrows? Someone has offended us, treated us unfairly, or upset us, and there seems to be no escape from the resentment eating away at our soul... But where is the Lord at that time? Does our heart truly remember His Resurrection and the fact that He will never abandon us? Then why does it not rejoice? I cannot believe that small sorrows, or perhaps even great ones, are greater than the joy of His Resurrection! There are saints, or simply happy people, who always remember this, and they have no moments when they are sad and must struggle with their pride and self-absorption. But on the other hand, we have room to grow, and we have this wonderful possibility: to experience the Resurrection of our Lord every time that, after overcoming resentment and bitterness, we return to His presence.