As we move further from the events and celebrations of Easter, today's reading from John reminds us that Christ not only knew (and welcomed) his fate to come, but that he worked to well prepare his disciples (and us!) for it's promise.  Of course we understand that his death and resurrection was necessary, to make real his promise.  Still I find it troubling, especially in today's divisive world in which taunting, mockery, and other forms of hateful speech drive wedges between peoples, nations, and families, and do real harm to individuals, that Jesus had to tell his followers that they would "...weep and mourn, while the world rejoices."

The idea of Christ's crucifixion at the hands of fearful, jealous leaders is a painful one, but the additional imagery of angry, hateful mobs cheering and joyful at his torture and death is nothing short of heartbreaking.  This is not how the world "should work"; it's not how loving and kind humans "should behave".  I would prefer to see us as our better angels - that we would rather reflexively, instinctively recoil when we see images of this sort today.  Jesus Christ died to save us from our sins, so I guess that in the big picture, yes, we could get away with lacking compassion, or spewing hate toward others.  But Jesus Christ taught us to love one another: to be compassionate and giving and kind.  I pray that when we see instances of 'man's inhumanity toward man' that we NOT turn our faces away, nor rejoice, but rather that we, like the Disciples, weep and mourn, but then go out to do God's work in spreading the love of Christ and actively working for change.  It's a big ask in a tough world, but my childlike heart still hopes that we'll try.  Amen.