From the Gospel · John 11:17 to 44
Jesus stood beside their grief.
You do not have to hide your sorrow to bring it to him.
Read the film transcript
Mary falls at Jesus’ feet. She is weeping.
Her brother Lazarus has died. Martha has already gone to meet Jesus; now Mary comes with the people who have been comforting her. Jesus sees their tears. He is deeply moved. He weeps.
At the tomb, the stone is taken away. Jesus calls Lazarus, and the man who was dead comes out, still wrapped in burial cloths. Jesus tells those standing there to release him.
John gives us a real sign of Christ’s power over death. He does not give us a promise that every person we mourn will return to us in this life.
You can bring the loss that is still painful. You do not have to turn it into a lesson. Ask someone you trust to sit with you or pray with you. Let care come close.
Jesus, receive my sorrow and the person I miss. Be near to us. Sustain me when prayer is difficult, and help me receive the care of others. I place my hope in your resurrection. Amen.
01Stay with the story
Martha and Mary have lost their brother Lazarus. Each meets Jesus with the sorrow of what has happened. When Jesus sees Mary weeping and those with her, he is deeply moved. Jesus weeps.
John goes on to tell of Lazarus being called from the tomb. This sign points to Christ’s power over death. It is not a promise that every loss will be reversed in this life.
Let this moment give you room to grieve in God’s presence. You do not need to force a lesson out of your loss or make yourself feel better before you pray.
Read the Gospel · RSV-CE02Make this your prayer
Jesus, receive my sorrow and the person I miss. Be near to us. Sustain me when prayer is difficult, and help me receive the care of others. I place my hope in your resurrection. Amen.
03One step into your day
Ask one person you trust to sit with you, call you, or pray with you this week. You may also ask your parish about a bereavement group.
A story and prayer you can offer to one person.
Send this to someone
I am thinking of you. This is a quiet moment with Jesus beside Martha and Mary, with space for grief and a short prayer.
Scripture and sources
The reflections and prayers are written for this encounter. They are not quotations from Scripture.
John 11:17 to 44 · RSV-CE