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.
- Sr. Melannie Svoboda, S.N.D.
As a crazy teenager attending the church's summer camps, we were asked one evening to memorize a verse besides "God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son." I did not have to memorize anything, I already knew, "Jesus wept." My best friends, said, "No way that is not verse, I said, "Read John 11: 1-45. My youth advisors said, "That was a good one Scott, now what does it mean to weep." I did not know how to answer that one except to say, "When my grandfather and dog died 3-4 years apart from each other...
Read more
I know this much…Lazarus is not alive on earth today and I know where he is ❤️
Amen Amen Amen God is with us all
Amem!
Amen
The shortest verse in Scripture in John 11:35, “Jesus wept!” Why did Jesus weep? *** Because He loved Lazarus? in John 11:36, “So the Jews said, “See how He loved him!” *** Because He didn’t save Lazarus from dying? in john 11:37, “But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?” *** Because Jesus was sad and troubled? in John 11:32-33, “Mary reached the place where Jesus was. When she saw him, she fell at his feet. She said, “Lord, I wish you had been here! Then my brother...
Read more
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, “Brothers and sisters, we want you to know what happens to those who die. We don’t want you to mourn, as other people do. They mourn because they don’t have any hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again. When He returns, many who believe in Him will have died already. We believe that God will bring them back with Jesus!” Amen ✝️
Living Faith provides brief daily Catholic devotions based on one of the Mass readings of the day. Published new each quarter, these reflections are written by women and men from a variety of backgrounds - lay people as well as clergy and religious. Learn more.
Receive a free reflection for Sundays every week via email
About Living Faith Living Faith Foundation Ambassador Privacy Policy F.A.Q. Contact Us
© 2026 Creative Communications for the Parish, a division of Bayard, lnc. All Rights Reserved.
Amen.