11-3-24 “The Most Precious Tears”

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“The Most Precious Tears”

Today is “All Saints Sunday.” On All Saints Sunday, we often feel grief as we remember our loved ones. “Saints” refers to the people of God, those who belong to Him. In Catholic tradition, saints are those who have lived and died in God’s love, honored as examples of faith to inspire others. All Saints Sunday is observed on the first Sunday in November, following Halloween. Halloween was originally the “holy day’s eve”—the day before All Saints Day.

Halloween traditions began as a way to drive out evil spirits and cleanse the home in preparation for All Saints Day, which some refer to as “All Saints Day’s Eve.” Reflecting on the true meaning of Halloween and All Saints Day, we can find significance in honoring our loved ones who have returned to their heavenly home. When we name each of them, we recall their faithful journey on earth. Lighting candles in their memory, we may weep as we remember moments of joy, pain, suffering, separation, and longing for them.

Also, this season, we never miss getting and carving our Halloween pumpkins. Most of you have carved Halloween pumpkins before. I once heard that being a Christian is like being a pumpkin. Imagine if you were a pumpkin and went through the same process in the life of a Halloween pumpkin:

God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes off all the dirt. Then God cuts off the top and scoops out all the “yucky” stuff—removing seeds of doubt, hate, greed, and so on. Finally, God carves you a new, smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for the world to see. When God holds us, we have a smiling face with His light shining through.

A smiling face is always good. It makes us feel happy. As you know, I love taking selfies. Most of my pictures show my big smiling face. My Facebook friends often tell me that when they see my page, my smile refreshes them. Hearing that makes me feel good too.
But there is something even more precious in the world than a smiling face. Can you guess what it is? Here’s a story from the Jewish Talmud: One day, God asked the angels to bring Him the most precious thing in the world. The first angel brought a diamond, and the second brought the beauty of a young woman. However, God was not particularly interested in either of these. But when the third angel brought a vessel containing the tears shed by sinners who repented, God was deeply satisfied and said, “You have brought the most precious thing.”

Today, I want to talk about “the most precious tears.” In Korean culture, there’s a saying: “A man should only shed tears three times in his life—when he is born, when his parents pass away, and when his country perishes.” Outside of these, a man is expected never to cry, making such rare tears all the more precious. If that were true, then what about the tears of Jesus? Jesus wept for His people when they cried.
In today’s scripture, we find Jesus wept for his people. There was Martha, Mary, and Lazarus in Bethany, near Jerusalem, all of whom received the Lord’s special love. However, while Jesus was preaching in another town, Lazarus became ill. Jesus didn’t come right away, and in the meantime, Lazarus died. Four days later, when Jesus finally arrived, the body already smelled. Martha, Mary, and many people wept. When Jesus arrived, Mary said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” It sounds like she was questioning Him,

perhaps even asking, “Why were you late?” But Jesus saw her tears, not just her words. The scripture says, “When Jesus saw Mary’s weeping and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved.” And then, Jesus began to weep. Those around said, “Look how he loved him!” When we cry for others, God weeps with us.

The most precious tears are shed for others, especially for another’s life. Our tears for someone’s life can move God’s heart to compassion and mercy for our loved ones. Jesus told them to move the stone from the tomb, and when He called, “Lazarus, come out,” Lazarus came walking out, four days after his death. Jesus’ tears represent mercy and compassion. When Jesus wept, He showed His mercy and compassion to the weak, the grieving, the sick, and those despairing in the face of death. Jesus’ tears expressed His compassion and mercy toward His people. Our salvation is rooted in His unconditional love and mercy.

What our Lord asks of us is mercy rather than sacrifice (Hosea 6:6). Compassion is sharing in the suffering of the afflicted; it’s crying with them, crying for them, being present with them in their hardship. This is Jesus’ heart and love. I hope that we carry Jesus’ mind at the center of our hearts, so that we might be those who weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. Jesus’ heart is moved when someone weeps for matters of life. He met their sadness by sharing in their tears and brought healing.

There are many types of tears in the world: tears of sorrow, tears of pain, tears of joy. Yes, even happiness can bring tears to our eyes. When we face injustice, we may shed tears. When our voices go unheard, we may cry. There are also tears of victory and even physiological tears, shed simply because our bodies need to release them. Among all these tears, which would you say is the most precious? I believe that all tears matter. Perhaps you’ve heard the saying, “Tears cleanse the soul.” After crying, we often feel a sense of peace. Psychologist Henry Maudsley said, “Tears are the gift of God for healing.” Your tears can heal not only your soul, mind, and spirit, but also the hearts of others.
Do you weep for injustice or unfairness? If so, God will count your tears. King David, whom we remember as a great king of Israel, experienced hardship due to King Saul’s jealousy and became a refugee in the wilderness. David wrote his prayer in Psalms: “You have kept count of my tossing; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your record?” (Psalm 56:8). He wept before God. God remembers your pain and oppression, just as He heard David.

Do you cry for reconciliation? If so, weep before God, for He hears your tears. Joseph wept over his broken relationship with his brothers after they sold him into slavery, but his tears ultimately brought reconciliation between them.
Do you weep over a medical issue, a difficult diagnosis, a health problem, or concerns for a loved one? If so, remember Hezekiah’s prayers. God extended his life for 15 years as he prayed with tears.

God is moved by tears, and in those tears, miracles happen. God gave Hannah her son Samuel in response to her tearful prayers, hearing her suffering and the unfairness she endured. God gave David the throne through his tearful prayers. Hezekiah’s prayers extended his life by fifteen years. The disciple Peter’s tears of repentance empowered him to become an outstanding disciple of Jesus. Where there are tears, there is also forgiveness and reconciliation.

Do you weep in grief over your lost loved ones? Your tears may purify your soul and mind, and give you a vision of heaven. Tears are God’s gifts for healing. When you shed tears, you may experience spiritual awakening. Khalil Gibran (1883–1931, a Lebanese-American poet, philosopher, and artist) once said, “Tears wash my heart and make me understand the secrets and hidden things of life.” If you want to weep, cry before God; He hears you. Remember, when you grieve, God also weeps with you. May your tears in prayer bring you peace and comfort, healing your spirit and body. Thanks be to God. Amen!