CCM seeks to serve the Catholic students of Washington College in Chestertown, MD. Our goal is to assist and support members in their exploration of the Catholic faith through liturgy, fellowship, and close partnership with Sacred Heart Parish. With the parish, we also provide means for the students of the college to practice their faith and participate in various community outreach programs throughout the year. All of our activities are open to all members of the college and community regardless of their religion. Check back frequently for updates on events!

Sunday, March 17, 2013

5th Sunday of Lent: Lazarus

Today's Gospel included the shortest verse in the Bible:

"Jesus wept."

John 11:35

Lazarus had just died and Mary and Martha, his sisters, were deeply troubled by his death. And so was Jesus.

Imagine: the Son of Man. He knew that he was about to raise this man back to life, who knew his own death was coming, who knew the resurrection was on the horizon, that he and Mary and Martha would see Lazarus in Heaven for eternity sometime soon.

And he wept. But why?

Father Paul expressed something very simple about this verse today. He simply said that it touched him.

Because God is compassionate. He's in love with us. He's in love with you. He's so love in with you that when you are hurting, as Mary and Martha was, or when he loses you, as Jesus did Lazarus, he weeps.

Now Jesus didn't have to do anything that he did. He didn't have to come to Earth and be born a servant. He didn't have to work as a carpenter for nearly 30 years. He didn't have to cure people and heal people and share parables and have patience with us as we chose not to believe him. He didn't have to be tempted in the desert or bring Lazarus back to life. He didn't have to be whipped and stripped and spat on and laughed at and mocked and humiliated. He didn't have to die for us.

But he did. Why? Because we needed him to. Because he wants us to reside with him in Heaven forever. That's why.

So when you feel like you're a failure, like you're not living up to his expectations, like you'll never be good enough, stop worrying so much about it. You don't have to prove anything to God, he wants you. He wants you badly enough that he'd give up anything for you. His own son, even.

He's on your side, so keep fighting your flesh and don't give up. And most of all, keep in mind that he's in love with you and he's constantly busy helping you through this treacherous life.

When everything is rotten and life doesn't seem like it's every going to turn around, think back to Lazarus and Mary and Martha. Remember that you're God is the same God that he has always been. And back when these three were hurting so badly and felt so alone, Jesus wept.

Have a trusting day
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