A TIME THAT MEANS TODAY

A reflection from Jn 16, 16-20 

            The time that the disciples lived with Jesus was not enough to assimilate his spirit and understand his true intentions. In this gospel passage is clear the mismatch of information: “What is this that he says to us? ... We do not understand what he is saying.” However, this short period was printing to the disciples a lifestyle of its own, so that only being with the Master is that they found meaning in their lives. They are now challenged to see and to live with the Master differently. They will not be orphans, but the Master won’t be more present as before.

           Humanly speaking, every parting is a loss and causes pain. Who has never experienced a situation like this? The “Hour” of Jesus was coming. This is a crucial time - which comprises the passion, death and resurrection - through which the Son will glorify the Father and will complete his mission. Predicting the impact that this “Hour” would cause in the lives of those he loved very much, Jesus comforts and guides them, stating that after the sadness caused by his absence, would come a great joy of the presence. The situation is compared to the time when a woman is about to give birth: she cries, feels pain, but then feels a great joy to have generated a human being to the world. The task of the disciples, therefore, is not to let the sadness determine the next steps, because it is only a preparation for the time of joy to come. Otherwise, it would have been in vain to leave everything to follow the Master.

         The time is precious to Jesus and should be for us too. We're not talking precisely of “kronos” (amount of time), but “kairós”, as opportune time, quality of time. This is the understanding of the Gospel of John about the time, which is very close to the African understanding. In many African communities the time is understood in the religious sense, from birth to death. The most important is not the time in itself, but the event that is celebrated in a certain time (cf. African Bible, p. 1874). Every moment of the life is to be lived intensely, because it is always a new opportunity for personal growth and insight into the calls of God. It is a time that is called today, through which we are being loved, called and visited. The God who comes to us wants to be recognized and welcomed. Without the effort of opening ourselves it is impossible the joy of the encounter with the Lord.

Pe. Degaaxé

Revision: Brother Cipriano