St. Theophan: Thoughts: May 10/23

This is my 'umble translation of St. Theophan's Thoughts for every day of the year. (If you want to compare the original go here)

(Acts 23:1-11; John 16:15-23) The Lord says to the holy apostles before his crucifixion: "A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me". The crucifixion and death of the Lord so struck the holy apostles that the eyes of their mind became muddled and they ceased to see the Lord as Lord; the light being hidden, they sat in bitter and agonizing darkness. The light of the resurrection of Christ chased away this darkness and they again beheld the Lord. As the Lord explained His own words: "You will weep," He said, "and lament but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful but your sorrow will turn into joy." It is said that every soul on the way to perfection experiences such trials. The darkness completely covers the soul and it doesn't know where to go; but the Lord comes and its sorrow is converted into joy. Truly these trials are necessarily so as it is necessary for a woman to suffer before giving birth. Can we conclude from this that the one who isn't tried does not grow into a genuine Christian?