‘A Little While!’

Thursday, May 9, 2024

Acts 18:1-8; Jn 16:16-20

Today’s Gospel is a reassurance of hope and joy for Christians. 

The recent solar eclipse, which took place a month ago on April 8 over parts of North America, sparked speculation among Evangelical Christians that it was a direct sign from God regarding the imminent judgement heading to the earth. 

However, that is not my point. 

I invoke the example as it can help us understand the theme of today’s Gospel. 

The Gospel passage appears as if Jesus is equivocating. But he is not. 

A closer reading of the Gospel helps us understand the truth. 

Jesus says, ‘A little while’ and you will no longer see me and again ‘a little while later’ and you will see me.’

In effect, Jesus talks of his momentary disappearance and a later re-appearance, which would be permanent. 

Explaining through the analogy of the recent solar eclipse, it is true that the moon is able to obscure the view of the Sun ‘a little while.’ However, it is not permanent. 

In other words, we understand that the moon (death) ‘eclipses’ the Sun (Jesus) for a little while, though the Sun emerges victorious later. 

As such, our pain and suffering may only last ‘a little while’ like the disappearance of Jesus. However, the joy that will return, will be permanent like Christ, whose presence will be permanent. 

The truth is that everything that is against Jesus can only last ‘a little while.’ (We should see that the phrase ‘a little while’ has been used seven times in today’s Gospel). 

We must believe and hope that, like Christ, our joy will be permanent after the momentary pain. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar