There are two times highlighted in Scripture when Christ weeps (latin Dominus Flevit) – at the death of Lazarus and over Jerusalem itself. He weeps at the death of His friend. The effects of sin touch even Him in the sorrow we all feel in the losses we suffer, particularly in the death of those around us, and our own inevitable death.
Christ weeps again over Jerusalem – and we might recall the words of Lamentation (1:16):
For these things I weep – My eyes! My eyes! They stream with tears! How far from me is anyone to comfort, anyone to restore my life. My children are desolate; the enemy has prevailed.
The Lord weeps for what was lost in the fall, at the first disobedience of Adam and Eve - at the effects of original sin and the sins we have committed in abundance since then.
After the Masses this Sunday, we will cover all of our crosses and images in the parishes. This final week of Lent, in anticipation of Holy Week, we make our final preparations for the celebrations of the Passion and Death of our Lord.
Consider Christ's tears, offered for us all. No simple spectator from on high, He lived our life, died our death and rose again so that tears might be wiped away once and for all. The King of Kings, humbling Himself for sinners! May we humbly approach Him with sorrow for our sins, trust in His mercy and gratitude for His love.