When I was ten years old, I lost two family members within six months. I was so young at the time and that period was such a blur that I didn't realize until recently how close in time those deaths were. The first one was my infant sister who lived for only five days. I had imagined taking care of my sister and watching her grow but never got to experience any of that. The second one was my grandfather who died after having a stroke. He died a few months before his fiftieth wedding anniversary. That was a sad, dark time and as hard as I was having it, looking back I imagine my parents, aunts, and uncles were probably having it worse.
The Gospel reading for this Fifth Sunday of Lent is the story about how Jesus brought Lazarus back to life. Most of the time, I am amazed at the dramatic scene of Lazarus, wrapped in burial clothes, emerging from his tomb. Recently, I’ve been struck by Jesus’ experience before the miracle. He was “deeply troubled.” “Jesus wept.”
An important aspect of our Catholic faith is that we believe that Jesus is both fully God and fully human. Jesus, in this Gospel reading, talks to Lazarus’ grieving sister, Martha, about the believing in the resurrection and life, that our loved ones’ lives will continue in Heaven if we believe in the Son of God. After explaining all of that, still the very same Son of God who will ensure that we never die is deeply troubled and wept.
Why would God become deeply troubled and weep? I think God, in the form of Jesus, became truly one of us and experienced all of the same pains and sufferings and emotions that you and I do. Even more so after dying for us on the cross. At Lazarus’ grave, Jesus showed us that even though he knew that Lazarus would experience eternal life in Heaven, he also showed that he deeply cares for his family and friends and mourns their earthly death. Jesus understands when we are mourning the loss of our family and friends. Jesus gets us. That is something that I often sit and think about and appreciate.
