When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”
 (John 11:32-37)

John 11:1-45

Mary repeated her sister Martha’s words when she saw Jesus. Her grief made her fall at Jesus’ feet, as she uttered the cry from her heart. Martha's weeping and that of everyone around her made Jesus deeply emotional. So much so that when they wanted to show him where Lazarus was buried, Jesus wept. Jesus’ expression of love touched some people, while others spoke in criticism, even in judgment. 

We can be assured that our grief, sorrow, and heartbreak also move Jesus. We can turn to him in our deepest sorrow, trusting that he fully understands what we are going through and that he is with us. Sometimes we can just rest in his comforting presence and embrace. At other times, he sends people to be with us, conveying his care through human presence.  

Reflect on those times you have felt Jesus’ comfort. How can you bring the peace, love and care of Jesus to somebody today?

God of comfort,
may we always trust that you are with us in our deepest sorrow, understanding and comforting us.
Amen.
 

Reflections by Adri Sutherland

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