No one will take your joy from you.
Following on from Lukes' accounts of the ascension, today we hear John's interpretation of the promise of Jesus. Using the metaphor of the travails involved in child birth, John is repeating words of prophets long understood to reference the end times. The final apocalyptic battle between evil, and the triumph of good, will be terrifying but will deliver endless joy and peace.
John extends the usual metaphor by pointing out that the woman forgets the suffering as she knows a new life has been born into the world. How women manage that and are prepared to do it again - and again - I am just in awe of. As a father, I do know the concern for the suffering of ones wife is quickly washed away by those first moments after your infant is handed to you for your first cuddle!
Our families, and the church do from time to time go through travail - but we should remember that our Father is going to help us forget, and learn to love the new life that emerges from each difficulty.