In today’s Gospel, we read the words ‘and Jesus wept’. The idea of our Lord being so upset is unsettling, and intensely sad.  

What made Jesus weep?  

Was it the death of Lazarus, as the onlookers thought?  

Christian faith believes that God, in the person of Jesus Christ, took his place in our life journeys. To hold on to this conviction helps us to live with happiness.

Sin can be seen as a disease of the heart. All cultures are shaped by love. Love sits at every table. Efforts to confine it to family, clan or nation, never succeed. Love sees through; as Aristotle pointed out, even thieves love one another.

New Zealand has one of the world’s highest rates of teenage suicides. Also grim is that between a third and a half of young people will inflict self-harm during their teenage years. Has the flickering flame of hope in life has been snuffed out by the winds of today’s culture?

Grief affects us all and touches us in different ways. No matter how low you feel when you’re grieving you, will at some point, start to feel better. You will learn to carry on living your life, while holding on to and treasuring what may be special and important memories.