“Ah, The Sheer Grace” – Reflection on John 16:20-23
To quote St. John of the Cross, “One dark night, fired with love’s urgent longings, ah, the sheer grace!” St. John of the Cross also speaks tenderly of a second challenging spiritual night because God seems to abandon us. This process of losing the sense of God is extremely painful. Yet within, hidden purifying grace transforms us with a new hunger, a taste of love’s perfection; all is gained, not lost. Like a spiraling roller coaster, we must wait out the fear of the unknown, then climb towards joy with God to give it all away. “Ah, the sheer grace” is part of the wonder of the mystery of prayer and asking in Jesus’s name and receiving!
The Exhortation to the Apostles by James Tissot painting at full resolution.
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
John 16:20-23 – Scripture*
20 Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is in labor, she has pain, because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world. 22 So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on John 16:20-23 Reflection – Sheer Grace!
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible John 16 passage.
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