A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John (4:46-53)

 

Jesus came again to Cana in Galilee where he had changed the water into wine. Now there was a royal official whose son lay ill in Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. Then Jesus said to him, ‘Unless you^* see signs and wonders you will not believe.’ The official said to him, ‘Sir, come down before my little boy dies.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your son will live.’ The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started on his way. As he was going down, his slaves met him and told him that his child was alive. So he asked them the hour when he began to recover, and they said to him, ‘Yesterday at one in the afternoon the fever left him.’

The father realized that this was the hour when Jesus had said to him, ‘Your son will live.’ So he himself believed, along with his whole household.

 

 

The flesh is dead so that it may be brought to life, dissolved so that it may be renewed yet better. Sown in weakness, it will rise in strength.  Sown in corruption, it will rise in incorruption.   Sown in dishonor, it will rise in glory.  Lastly, sown an animal body, it will rise a spiritual body.  O death, where is your victory ? O death, where is your sting?  Where you seem to have done something to him, you are shown to have been profitable to him. So you spewed all your poison over me. Seeking him, you inflicted dire wounds upon me. Me, what sorrow, what bitterness, what harshness I bore, because I lost my guide on the journey, the mentor for my way of life.

 

But why, O my soul, did you gaze so long without tears on his dear mortal remains? Why did you bid farewell without kisses to that body so dear to you? I grieved and moaned, poor wretch, and from my inmost being drew long sighs, but yet I did not weep. I realized that I should be grieving so hard that even when I was grieving exceedingly, I did not believe I was grieving at all. So I felt afterwards. My mind was so numb that even when his limbs were at last uncovered for washing, I did not believe he had passed on. I was astonished that he, whom I had clasped to myself with the bonds of sweetest love, suddenly had slipped from my hands. I was astonished that this soul which was one with mine could, without mine, cast off the shackles of his body. But my numbness at last gave way to attachment, gave way to grief, gave way to compassion. Now, O my eyes, what are you doing, what are you doing? I beg you, do not be sparing, do not pretend. Offer whatever you have, whatever you can, over the remains of my beloved. Why do I blush? Am I the only one to weep? Look at how many tears, how many sobs, how many sighs surround me! Are these tears reprehensible? Yet the tears you shed over the death of your friend excuse us, Lord, for they express our affection and give us a glimpse of your charity. You took on the attachment of our weakness but only when you wished it, and were also able not to weep. O how sweet are your tears and how gentle. What savor and consolation they give to my troubled mind. Look at how he loved him, they said.  And look at how my own Simon was loved by everyone, embraced by everyone, cherished by everyone! But perhaps some stalwart persons at this moment are passing judgement on my tears, considering my love too human. Let them interpret [my tears] as they please. But you, Lord, look at them, observe them! Others see what happens outside but do not heed what I suffer within. That is where your eyes see, O Lord. Certainly in my eyes your servant had nothing to hinder his passing over into your embrace.

 

 

 

Don't cry for me
Don't shed a tear
I've been set free
No need to fear
God spoke to me
My time has come
He made a way to bring me home.

Don't cry for me
My pain is gone forever
Don't cry for me
My body's been made whole
Don't cry for me
We'll soon be back together
Don't cry for me
I'm well within my soul.

I saw the light
I took his hand
We flew on high
To a promised land
My soul lives on
To a better place
With all his glory
With all his grace.

My pain is gone
Please understand
My fussing? was in god's great plan
I with you still each day and night
Just Close your eyes
I'll hold you tight.

I am your heart
I feel the pain
Don't give up hope
Our love remains
I wait for you at heaven door
We'll met again one day for sure

 

 

 

Almighty and merciful God,

whose Son willingly suffered death for our sake,

grant in your goodness that your servants

may share the glory and triumph of his resurrection.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.  Amen.