In today’s Gospel, we heard/listened to the shortest verse in the scripture: “Jesus wept” (JOHN 11:35). It happened in the story of the death of Lazarus of Bethany. When Jesus arrives at Bethany and realizes the sorrow of Mary of Bethany and Martha of Bethany, Jesus himself breaks into tears.

In this verse, this might seem too simple, yet in the Catholic tradition and theology, seen as a profound revelation of Christ’s identity as a man and divine.

Jesus is 100% human: it is where he feels the sorrows. He does not remain distant from suffering as humans are experiencing it. His tears expose the real compassion of God towards His people. Jesus the incarnate Son fully enters into the pain of the world—including death. Jesus is 100% divine: as we begin next week with the Lord’s passion entering Jerusalem, He will conquer death through the Cross. Jesus’ tears revealed the wisdom of divine mercy.

Augustine of Hippo describes Jesus’ weeping to show the reality of His humanity and to explain to the believers that grief itself is not a sinful one, but even the Son of God mourned the pain caused by death. Furthermore, Thomas Aquinas added that Jesus wept because death is the consequence of sin, and His tears show God’s deep sorrow over humankind’s fallen condition.

The death of Lazarus represents the universal condition of man, i.e., death. Death is not part of God’s original plan in creation, but through the incarnation of Jesus, he conquers death and brings us to eternal life.

As we journey towards this Lenten season, the tears and sorrows of Christ invite us to trust fully in His divine plan of salvation as God enters our suffering to lead us to new life and through Jesus’ death, he himself conquers it for our redemption and we partake in the hope of resurrection, which God ensures to restore our lives and to we go back to him with clean hands and pure hearts.

“He wept as a man, but He raised him as God” -St. Cyril of Alexandria

– FRA. FRANCIS NOEL MA. MONTERDE, OSM

WAITING WITH FAITH

When I reflect on the story of Lazarus, I cannot help but see myself in him. There are days when I feel the weight of my own “sickness”, not only in a physical sense, but in the struggles, limitations, and quiet battles I carry within. It is not always easy, and at times, it leaves me feeling tired and waiting… still waiting for healing.

There are moments when I honestly wonder if Jesus hears me. I pray, I plead, and sometimes it feels like there is only silence. I become impatient, even discouraged, thinking that perhaps He has not seen my tears or understood what I am going through. Like Martha and Mary, I find myself saying, “Lord, if You had been here…” ano pa po ba ang kulang?

But this Gospel gently reminds me of something I often forget: Jesus is not distant from my suffering. When I am hurting, He is not simply watching from afar. In His own way, He is also there, present, compassionate, even sharing in my pain. The image of Jesus weeping, it tells me that my struggles matter to Him, and that He carries the weight of them with me.

Still, I am learning that healing does not always come immediately. There is a waiting, and that waiting is not easy. But perhaps in that waiting, the Lord is teaching me to trust more, to believe that He is preparing something greater than what I can see right now.

And like Lazarus, I know that the Lord is calling me, even in my weakness: “Come out.” It may not mean that everything is instantly resolved, but it is an invitation to keep moving forward, to keep choosing faith, and to allow Him to work in me little by little.

For now, I continue to wait, to hope, to trust, and to believe. Not perfectly, but sincerely. Holding on to the quiet assurance that the Lord has not forgotten me, and that in His time, He will bring healing in the way that is best and meant for me.

– Leng

PRAYER TO START THE WEEK
Lord Jesus, in moments when I feel lost or broken, remind me that You are my hope and my life. Help me trust in Your timing, even when I don’t understand. Call me out of anything that keeps me from You, just as You called Lazarus. Amen.

Originally published in the Neo Jeremiah Voice of the Young Prophet (March 22, 2026 issue).