Readings for the Day:
Sermon:
Original Manuscript:
What makes dark times, dark nights even, so difficult is that we do not always see that they will end.
Jesus is trying to impart a message of hope for these difficult times. His example of the woman in labor is apt. The dark nights don’t seem quite so dark when we see the joy that comes at the end of them.
If we can remember Jesus’ words, then we can survive the dark times. This is what John of the Cross, who we celebrate today, was trying to do. He wanted to create a means for us to experience the upward movement to God, no matter what we faced.
Don’t let darkness keep you from God. Remember that this too shall pass, and the glory that will come after, as Jesus reminds, will not be taken away.