Daily Gospel Reflection for May 29, 2025

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: John 16:16-20

"You will grieve, but your grief will become joy." John 16:20

My daughter, Jocelyn, tried out for volleyball back in seventh grade. I have never seen her cry as hard as she did when she didn’t make the team. She was completely inconsolable, with a deep grief that gripped her heart tight. She eventually joined the cross-country team but her heart was still heavy.

Now in the ninth grade, Jocelyn joined the high school cross country team. A few days in I asked her how it was going. She responded with “The team has the kindest kids ever! I really like them all.” 

We went on to talk about how the volleyball team seems to have a lot of conflict with backstabbing and mean behavior. When I reminded Jocelyn how she had tried out for that team and hadn’t made it, she responded with “God works in mysterious ways. If I’d made the volleyball team back then, I’d still be on it. And I’d have to deal with all that drama. I’m so glad I didn’t because I’m really happy with the cross-country team.” 

It's hard to believe in the midst of our grief that joy will come. The darkness is so heavy we can’t imagine it will ever lift. But Jesus promises it will if we remain open to the will of His Father. 

God wants to lead us to joy, but sometimes that journey takes a while. It took two years for my daughter to see His hand at work and His promise fulfilled. We will too if we just remain in Him and keep on trusting.

Ponder:

When I look back, can I see a time of mourning that God eventually turned into joy?  

Pray:

God of all consolation, increase my trust in Your goodness, no matter how long it takes for You to turn my grief into joy.

Copyright 2025 Claire McGarry