HE WEEPS WITH US
Rosemary Joy reflects on how Jesus brought joy out of despair for two loving sisters and how he can do the same for us.
HIS FRIEND’S DEATH
In chapter 11 of John’s Gospel, there is the story of Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, being brought back to life by Jesus. The most beautiful part of this story for me is how it shows the love and compassion of Jesus. John 11:35 says, “Jesus wept.” Why was Jesus crying when He already knew that He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead? I think that Jesus was upset because He can see into our hearts. He was able to understand and could even feel how crushed and broken-hearted Mary and Martha were feeling after the death of their beloved brother.
EMPATHY
Our Lord was able to empathise with the two sisters, because He is always close to those in pain or suffering in any way. When we are hurting He offers us His comfort and stretches out His arms to embrace us. Yet sometimes, it can be very difficult for us to acknowledge this presence of Christ when we are in pain or everything seems to be falling apart. We can feel that we have been abandoned by God and that He has left us to cope on our own. But that’s not what God is like.
AMAZING LOVE
The amazing thing about God’s love is that it reaches out to us at all times, and especially when we feel completely overwhelmed by sadness or fear. His love is able to pierce into the darkness of our lives and shed light into our hopelessness. We can be comforted knowing that the Creator of the universe wants to wipe away all our tears and hold us close to Him. This is how Jesus felt when He saw Mary and Martha’s grieving. Even though He knew that their sorrow would soon turn into joy, after He had restored Lazarus to life, He wept with the sisters to show that they were not alone in their sorrow. He wanted them to know that He could feel their pain and hurt.
THE RESURRECTION
Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:43) This was all that it took for the dead man to be brought back to life. These words of Jesus breathed life into Lazarus and he came out from the tomb. Mary and Martha must have been so happy and amazed at that moment! They must have been so grateful. Earlier they had said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11:32) They had been thinking that Jesus had let them down by not arriving sooner. But after the resurrection they realised that nothing could stop Jesus. He could perform miracles at any time!
BE PATIENT
We can be tempted to think that there’s no way out of our difficulties and that there is nothing that God can do to help us. That’s a lie! God can turn our lives round at any time, even at the darkest moment, when we may feel totally trapped and are giving up hope. We may not understand God’s timing but if we wait for Him patiently, with trusting hearts, He will intervene. We will see miracles when He transforms our situations in ways that are not possible for humans. He will say to us as He said to Martha, “Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?” (John 11:40)
PRAYER
Jesus, lover of my soul, I give you my aching heart. Only you truly know how much pain I’m in. There are so many times I feel like giving up, but then I remember Your love. I remember how you, who formed me in my mother’s womb, are able to pick up all the broken pieces of my life and transform them into a beautiful testimony of Your mercy. I surrender my life into your hands, knowing that You are going to work out all things for my good in Your perfect timing. Your love never fails and I trust in the love of Your most Sacred Heart.
