I would like to clearly say one thing to you: Thank God you can cry! Christ himself wept over Lazarus – the Greek original conveys it strongly: “he broke into tears”! He truly identified with the sorrow of all mourners throughout all ages across the world. Faith does not require us to maintain a stoic indifference. Saint Ambrose writes about the death of his brother: “Our tears are not something sinful! Crying does not come from weakness or lack of faith. Natural sorrow is something different from sorrow full of distrust. Tears are a sign of devotion. I confess that I too have wept.” Therefore, you should never be ashamed to shed tears. I believe that in God’s eyes they are priceless.
(Mary David Totah, OSB /1957–2017/, Joy in God; citation of St. Ambrose, On the Death of Satyrus)
