I would like to tell you one thing clearly: Thank God you can cry! Christ himself wept over Lazarus – the Greek original has a strong expression: “he burst into tears”! He truly identified with the grief of all mourners throughout all ages of the world. Faith does not require us to maintain 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 filled with distrust. Tears are a sign of devotion. I confess that I too have cried.” Therefore, never be ashamed to shed tears. I believe they are precious in God’s eyes.
(Mary David Totah, OSB /1957–2017/, Joy in God; quote from St. Ambrose, On the Death of Satyrus)
