Daily Gospel Reflection
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May 15, 2026
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn,
while the world rejoices;
you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.
When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived;
but when she has given birth to a child,
she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy
that a child has been born into the world.
So you also are now in anguish.
But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice,
and no one will take your joy away from you.
On that day you will not question me about anything.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.”
Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. The full readings of the day from the Lectionary are available here.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Stillbirth affects about 1 in 175 births, and each year about 21,000 babies are stillborn in the United States. Stillbirth occurs in families of all races, ethnicities, and income levels, and to women of all ages.”
So, how does one endure grief in the window of time that we, and everyone else in the world, are assuming joy is the only possible outcome? How do you go through labor with the knowledge that you won’t receive that joy?
I have a dear friend named Rosa who has endured this very situation. Rosa’s faith has carried her through this unimaginable time, and she has told me that she feels God’s love stronger than ever. As someone who has not experienced this, I imagine I would harbor so much anger and resentment at carrying, laboring, and birthing a baby that I did not get to meet alive and well. And then immediately having to make funeral arrangements. The injustice of this situation is truly one that is beyond comprehension, but when I step back and look at today’s gospel, I can learn from Rosa’s experience.
“But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. On that day, you will not question me about anything.”
Rosa sees God in everything, and while she carries immense grief over losing her daughter, her heart still rejoices in knowing and meeting her daughter. As strange and heart-wrenching as it may seem, these two intense emotions and experiences can be true at the same time. Her joy is not as she envisioned it, but she has experienced it.
And no one can take that joy away from her.
Prayer
Ever Gracious Christ, your resurrection revealed love among your followers. In the paradox of your death, turn our grief into profound joy. Amid our uncertainty, sustain us with your healing and tender presence. May we faithfully seek you when the world abandons your words and restorative actions. May we ask on behalf of the sorrowful and anguished, your healing and forgiving mercy for all people on earth. May our voices forever sing of your glory. Amen.
Saint of the Day
In the 13th century, two ancient marble tombs were discovered in a city near Antwerp, Belgium. Buried inside were the bodies of two saints: St. Dymphna and St. Gerebernus.
When the relics of these two saints became known to the city, a number of healings were attributed to their intercession. Those suffering from epilepsy and mental illness suddenly found health through prayer to these saints.
Little is known of these saints, so popular belief filled in their history. It is thought that Dymphna was daughter to an Irish tribal king and a Christian princess, who baptized the girl and raised her as a Christian.
When Dymphna was a teenager, her mother died, leaving her father beside himself with grief. He searched the civilized world for a woman who looked like his deceased wife, but found none. Dymphna’s own beauty reminded him of his wife, and he made an advance upon Dymphna, but she escaped.
Her spiritual advisor was an old priest and family friend named Gerebernus. He advised her to leave the country, so together they fled to Belgium and found a small chapel near Antwerp. They decided to live there, both adopting a life of solitude and prayer.
They did not know that Dymphna’s father was pursuing them. He searched the countryside for his daughter, and finally caught wind of where she might be hiding. He discovered them and tried to convince them to return to Ireland. When they refused, he killed both Dymphna and Gerebernus.
The relics of St. Dymphna rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Notre Dame's campus.
St. Dymphna, patron saint of those who suffer from mental illness—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Dymphna is an illustration by Notre Dame alumnus Matthew Alderman '06, who holds exclusive rights to the further distribution and publication of his art. Used here with permission.