And he wept

(Jn 11:35)

Jesus does feel the pain of losing a loved one and showed this in also sharing the tears of those who wept for His dear friend Lazarus, whom he then called back to life for the sake of Lazarus’ sisters Martha and Mary. On previous occasions, He performed acts of the resurrection when he met a funeral procession and saw a widow weeping over the dead body of her only son. “Don’t cry,” He told her, and commanded the dead son, “Young man, awake, I tell you” (Lk 7:14-15). The second story of resurrection performed by Jesus was with Jairus’ daughter (Lk 8:52-56). Jesus told Jairus not to be afraid, only to believe; then taking the child by the hand, He said: saying, “Child, wake up!” The third story is that of Lazarus, a friend close to His heart. It is the same man Jesus who ‘weeps’ for us, His beloved brothers and sisters, whenever we break off from his friendship through sin that causes a spiritual death in us.

When we sin, when we die, this compassionate Jesus weeps, but He leans on us lovingly, reminding us of the redemptive power of His Cross and Resurrection, and bringing to bloom the seeds of divinity / eternal life within us. Jesus forgave and did not condemn the woman caught in adultery, advising her, “from now on avoid this sin” (Jn 8:11). He has come not to condemn but to save us (cf. Jn 3:17). The Sacrament of Confession gives us the graces we need to overcome our semi-death in sin, that we may be fully restored or resurrected to God’s life. All this springs from the undying, unconditional love of Jesus who gives Himself to us in every Eucharist.

Let each day, especially during Lent, open to our eyes the challenges of dying to everything that leads to sin, and rising in the new life of Christ. Our trust in the Father’s love will dispel the human fear of death and empty us of whatever impedes the growth of our relationship with the Lord. With Martha, we cry out, “Yes, Lord, I believe!” (Jn 11:27). Our faith assures us of new life and invites us to change or conversion – metanoia. May our repentance lead us to new hope in Christ. As St. Paul wrote, “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will bring your mortal bodies to life also through his Spirit dwelling in you” (Rom 8:11). With tears, we call upon the Lord, “My soul is greatly troubled. How long, O Lord? Come back to me, O Lord, save my life, secure me for the sake of your love” (Ps 6:4-5).