«Your sorrow will turn into joy» (Jn 16:20).
We know these words from the Gospel according to Saint John, which Jesus addressed to His disciples in view of His return to the Heavenly Father. He had previously told them: “A little while, and you will see me no more; again a little while, and you will see me” (Jn 16:16). Jesus, for His part, is filled with joy at returning to His Father and at having fulfilled His mission on earth.
Now at Lystra there was a man sitting, who could not use his feet; he was a cripple from birth, who had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking; and Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and walked. And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, because he was the chief speaker, they called Hermes. And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the people.
