Jesus Wept For You – Good Friday Reflection

Today is the quietest day in seminary, not only because it is a scheduled silent retreat, but also because we are caught up in our own sinfulness. On this day more than any other, I am confronted with the fact of my sinfulness, with all the times that I put myself ahead of Jesus. The temptation to despair, to say my sins are too horrible to forgive is one that I often face, but most especially face today. Often thinking in my heart, “My sin is too terrible to forgive” “Jesus can’t love me because in sinning, I have wounded Him.” How many times have I forgotten that today all those years ago. He forgave me. “Father, forgive them; they know not what they do.” During His Agony, He looked at us and Loved us so much so that He desired to bear the torment of the Cross all for you, all for me. He wept for me. Jesus wept for you. When I think of this, I echo the words of Peter, “Depart from me, Lord for I am a sinful man.”  Yet that is the exact opposite effect Jesus wants His Cross to carry. Jesus suffered total abandonment so that you and I could tell Him that we love Him. That is what He desires above all things. Jesus wants us to seek shelter in His Love, to flee from our sinfulness and rest in His Loving Heart.

Jon Tolberd is a junior at Conception Seminary College, studying for the Diocese of Wichita.