For the Fifth Sunday of Lent…
And Jesus wept.
John 11:35
Some theologians say these three words are among the most important words on grief in the entire Gospel. Why? Because they show Jesus’ total immersion in the human experience of grieving. We love. We lose the one we love. We grieve. Jesus’ tears here are genuine. He is “perturbed” and “deeply troubled” by the death of his friend Lazarus (v. 33) and the impact of his death on his family, friends and local community. Jesus’ weeping is so real and profound the bystanders whisper in awe, “See how he loved him” (v. 36).
Where is Jesus when we are grieving the loss of our loved ones—and we wonder how we can go on living without them? Jesus is with us. He knows firsthand the pain we are experiencing. And he is loving us.
As for Jesus’ enemies, the raising of Lazarus is the last straw. Jesus must be stopped. Permanently. But paradoxically, it is precisely through his own death that Jesus will win for us everlasting life and reunion with our loved ones forever.
Contributor, Living Faith
Learn more about Sr. Melannie Svoboda at LivingFaith.com.
