💖 HOMILY - MAY 30 💖

First Reading - Acts 18:9-18

Gospel - John 16:20-23

Happiness is something we all seek, often in different ways and through various paths. It is the deep yearning of the human heart—a longing not just for pleasure, but for something lasting, fulfilling, and real. The readings today invite us to recognize that true joy, the kind that satisfies and endures, comes not from the world, but from choosing Jesus and trusting in his promises.

The first reading presents us with a powerful contrast between fear and confidence. Paul finds himself in a vulnerable position—preaching the Gospel in a hostile environment where threats against him are real. Naturally, fear could have stopped him. But in a moment of divine assurance, Jesus speaks to him in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid… I am with you.” These words are not just comforting; they are empowering. They move Paul beyond fear into a life of courageous witness. He doesn’t allow danger, opposition, or uncertainty to silence him. He continues his mission with boldness, because his confidence is rooted in the presence of Jesus. That is the secret: not the absence of danger, but the presence of Christ.

The Gospel gives us a similar message, this time using a very relatable image—the pain and joy of childbirth. Jesus, knowing the sorrow his disciples will experience at his passion and death, tells them not to lose heart. He explains that their sorrow is only for “a little while.” It’s not the end of the story. Like a mother who forgets her pain the moment she holds her child, the disciples will soon experience a joy that outweighs and outlasts their suffering. This is not a shallow cheerfulness or temporary pleasure, but a joy that comes from the deep experience of Jesus’ victory over death—a joy no one can take away.

We, too, often face the tension between fear and trust, between worldly satisfaction and the lasting joy Jesus offers. It is easy to seek happiness in things that glitter but don’t satisfy—comfort, success, approval, or material wealth. But these joys are fragile and short-lived. The joy Jesus offers is different. It often requires sacrifice, endurance, and faith in the unseen. But it is a joy that remains, even in sorrow. It is a joy that gives meaning to pain and strength in adversity. It is the joy of knowing we are not alone—that Jesus is with us, just as he was with Paul.

Dear friends, if you are facing pain, discouragement, or confusion, remember Jesus’ promise: “You will have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice.” Don’t let fear have the last word. Trust that Jesus is walking with you, even if you don’t see him clearly yet. Like Paul, let his words be your strength. Let them give you the courage to keep going, to keep loving, to keep choosing what is right, even when it’s hard.

Let us not settle for fleeting pleasures. Let us look for lasting joy—the kind that comes from walking with Jesus, living his truth, and knowing his love. May we find our happiness not in the shifting promises of the world, but in the firm assurance that Jesus is with us, now and always.

May God help us to seek and find our joy in Jesus, and may that joy remain in us, full and unshakable.