A woman in childbirth is in distress because her time is at hand. But after the child is
born, she no longer remembers her suffering because of her great joy: a human
being is born into the world.
You feel sorrowful now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice; and no
one will take your joy from you. When that day comes you will not ask me anything.
Truly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.
Reflect
In today’s first reading, the Lord gives Paul and us two important instructions: “Do
not be afraid” and “Do not be silent.” All too often we are silent because of apathy
or fear. We fail to speak out when we see injustices around us. This pattern of
inaction may begin when we are children and fail to protect another child
from teasing or bullying. We may even participate in such behavior in order to save face.
This behavior continues as we grow older and the stakes are even higher. We may fail
to speak out when we see unethical actions on a job site or when we see someone
rejected because of prejudice. We fail to speak out about systems that perpetuate
injustice, enriching the few but leaving the many in poverty and destroying the earth.
But Jesus offers us another way. He reminds us that the Father will give us anything
we ask for in Jesus’ name. If we ask for the strength and courage to speak out for the
vulnerable and forgotten, the Father will hear and grant our prayer.
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