“I will put my spirit in you that you may live, and I will settle you upon your land; thus you shall know that I am the LORD. I have promised, and I will do it, says the LORD” - Ezekiel 37:14
“And Jesus wept. So the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him.’” – John 11:35-36
The shortest line in the New Testament, “And Jesus wept,” reveals the humanity and depth of Jesus’ love for his friend Lazarus. He comes “late” to console and to save. “Late” because God’s timing and manner of acting in the world is not determined by our schedule. God’s ways are not our ways. But Jesus keeps his promise. In God’s mysterious time and fashion, Jesus acts decisively. He suffers with and consoles Mary & Martha. He raises Lazarus to new life.
It is not just for Lazarus whom Jesus weeps, he weeps for us. He grieves with us who grieves and shed tears with us who cry. Yet, in solidarity with those who suffer, Jesus acts. The loneliness that comes from being alone is met; the loss of meaning from suffering bears new insight and purpose; new hope arises mysteriously from despair. God in Jesus suffers for us and with us. God keeps promises.
For what do you mourn and weep? Invite Jesus to walk with you.
Reminder – You can look at the daily mass readings at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/
(Cycle A has John 11 as the Gospel; for Cycle C’s Gospel, see tomorrow’s reflection)
Thank you Cha for this meditation reading. I suffered from mastitis friday night, and fought infection...all through friday night, i was in pain badly and couldn't sleep much b/c DT kept crying...of course i didn't want to wake TS b/c he had a long day of work ahead...so i felt so alone and was in so much Pain and so fatigued!!! But i turned to God and thought, this is the season of Lent. Jesus is suffering too...and i guess this is my part...tho' it was like my "hell"...it hurt so bad. Saturday morning came around...and i had to lean on a friend to help. She was so generous to leave her two kids to pick up my medicine at the Pharm. and come by and share with me remedies to help lessen my mastitis. Saturday night, i felt much better...Motherhood, esp. being a mother to a newborn, requires you to be, do, including suffer, many things. I often ask Duc Me, did she go through this? Did she ever suffer from Mastitis? How was Jesus as a baby? newborn? Those details aren't in the bible. And since i cannot go to mass, I appreciate these reflections Cha. It really has opened a door and brought me closer to God. I will try to read ur reflection each day, atleast, if not reflect/meditate on it when i'm not too tired. Today DT is 3 weeks old. *sigh* almost 1 month old! I pray that each day, i'm healing better and faster so i can feel like my oldself and be able to go out and about. I will ask Jesus to walk with me as i wake up for each feeding in the middle of the night, when i feel lonely or face any hardships. God bless you FAther Tri.
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