A “Do not weep”

Crying is human nature. It is healthy. It is a relief. But why did Jesus stop the Nain widow and the daughters of Jerusalem from weeping?
Jesus has the right to tell to the bereaved, “Stop crying,” because He has the power and authority to raise the dead.
“Soon afterwards, He went to a town called Nain, and His disciples and a large crowd went with Him. As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then He came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, rise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak. (Luke 7:11-15)
Jesus commanded the daughters of Jerusalem to stop weeping for Him but to weep for themselves and their children because he knew he will die but he will resurrect.
“A great number of people followed Him, including women who kept mourning and wailing for Him. But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.” (Luke 23:27-28)
Jesus has the right to say, “Stop weeping” because He has the power and authority to raise Himself from the dead but the people cannot.
I feel bad to hear from people, pastors, and priests attending wakes and funerals saying, “Stop crying,” addressing it to the bereaved family.
For us to tell the bereaved family to stop crying is telling them not to admit the death of their beloved dead. To tell the bereaved family to stop crying is to suppress their feelings. It is not healthy. We instead console them with our songs and prayers.
Physical death is the cessation of earthly life. If somebody dies, it’s a loss. It is painful. Hence, we express it by crying or grieving. Crying is emotionally and psychologically healthy. Crying is always accompanied with tears.
When we are overloaded with joy, we also cry with tears. We say, “Tears of joy.”
On Oct. 28, I officiated a wedding where the bride expressed her gratitude to the congregation after the Holy Mass. She was in tears, not for regret but for overflowing joy.
The first thing we hear when a baby is born is a loud cry. We don’t hear other things from the baby but a cry. When the mother hears the cry of her baby, she is relieved from worries, she is loaded with joy, her morale is boosted because the cry of the baby meant life.
Crying is not a sign of weakness and defeat. Jesus also cried. He cried when his friend Lazarus died.
“When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you put him?” He asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they answered. Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!” (John 11:13)
Jesus grieved over Jerusalem for frustration. “As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it.” (Luke 19:41)
On the cross, tears were falling from his eyes. Jesus felt abandoned. He cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Jesus was indeed a human person.
Crying is a healthy expression of the human nature. Let us not suppress crying. We can’t prevent other people from crying especially in times of loss. Let them cry. Let them grieve but equally we condole with them with our presence, with our moral support, and the story of Jesus who has the authority and power to raise the dead. Jesus is God.
Happy All Saints’ Day and Happy All Souls’ Day.
Reach me at [email protected] or at 0908-727-6735. For our daily live stream mass, visit Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church Sagada Facebook page.